Conf  Pam  12mo  #297 


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MESSAGE 


OF 


GOV.  F.  R.  LUBBOCK 


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OF   THE 


STATE  ODP  TEXAS, 


Delivered,  Feb.  5th,  1863. 


AUSTIN: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  STATE  GAZETTE  BOOK  AND  JOB  OFFICE. 
1863. 


MESSAGE  OF  GOY.  LUBBOCK. 


EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 
Austin,  Texas,  Feb.  5th,  1863. 


I 


Gentlemen   of  the  Senate,   and   house   of  Representatives  : 

It  being  my  duty  to  convene  the  Legislature  in  extraordinary  session,  when 
deemed  essential  for  the  public  good ;  1  have  called  you  together,  at  this  mo- 
mentous crisis,  to  receive  your  aid  and  co-operation,  in  the  adoption  of  such 
additional  measures,  as  may  be  esteemed  of  vital  importance  to  the  country. 

Since  your  adjournment,  the  war  has  been  prosecuted  by  our  vindictive  and 
remorseless  enemy,  with  all  the  means  and  energy  at  his  command.  Failing 
in  the  clash  of  arms  and  shock  of  battle  to  conquer  and  subdue  our  people  ; 
no  expedient,  however  miserable,  contemptible  and  despicable,  has  been  left 
untried  by  him,  to  induce  the  citizens  of  the  Confederate  States  to  throw  off 
their  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  their  choice,  and  espouse  a  cause  they 
detest  and  abhor.  Whenever  the  fortune  of  war  has  placed  any  portion  of 
the  Confederacy  in  his  power;  after  exhausting  every  means  of  persuasion, 
without  success,  to  bring  the  people  "back  to  their  allegiance;  "  he  has  re- 
sorted to  the  most  unjust,  oppressive  and  cruel  measures — conliscations,  im- 
prisonments, and  even  the  taking  of  life  itself.  Yet,  under  all  these  trials, 
our  citizens,  with  but  few  dishonorable  exceptions,  have  remained  true  and 
loyal  to  the  Confederacy. 

From  the  very  commencement  of  the  war,  there  has  been  a  studied  pur- 
pose, on  the  part  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  Government,  to  Africanise  the  Southern 
Confederacy ;  which  fact  is  now  most  plainly  developed  in  his  Proclamation 
of  the  22d  September,  1862;  in  which  he  declares,  that  "all  slaves  shall  be 
free  in  the  States  or  parts  of  States  found  in  rebellion  after  the  1st  January, 
18(53  ;  "  and  which  Proclamation  has  been  approved  and  sustained  by  the 
U'.  S.  Congress,  now  in  session,  by  the  following  resolution  : — 

"Resolved,  That  the  Proclamation  of  the  President,  dated  Sept.  22d,  1862, 
"  is  warranted  by  the  Constitution  ;  that  the  policy  of  emancipation  as  indi 
"  cated  therein,  is  well  adapted  to  hasten  the  restoration  of  peace ;  is  well 
"  chosen  as  a  war  measure,  and  is  an  exercise  of  power  with  a  proper  regard 
"  to  the  rights  of  citizens  and  the  perpetuity  of  a  free  government." 

I  am  pleased  to  see  the  views  the  President  of  the  Confederate  Stales  has 
taken  of  this  most  iniquitous  paper,  in  his  late  proclamation  of  outlawry 
against  that  hateful  and  disgusting  renegade,' and  traitor-democrat,  known  as 
the  "Beast  Butler;"  of  whom  it  has  been  well  said,  "He  has  disgraced  the 
"  Government,  for  his  Government  is  great  enough  to  be  just ;  he  has  disgraced  his 
lt  country,  for  his  name  barbs  the  scorn  of  foreign  enemies,  and  justifies  the  severity 
"  of  foreign  friends  ;  he  has  dishonored  the  Chief  Magistrate  by  prescribing  him 
"  to  ministers  of  the  gospel  as  the  subject  of  their  compulsory  prayers  ;  lie  has  dis- 
11  graced  his  sex,  for  not  even  women  have  been  exempt  from  his  cruelty.  If  it  is 
:t possible,  he  has  disgraced  himself,  for  the  most  subservient  tool  of  Southern  men} 


u<md  subservient  lander  of  Southern  Institutions,  has  become  their  most  assiduous 
"  enemy,  seeking  a  place  for  the  heel  of  power,  where  once  he  looked  only  to  lick  the 
"spittle  of  servility."  ■.  ■■  ,j.ll.  ^;.-.-a 

I  trust  your  Honorable  Body  will  fully  endorse  the  action  of  the  President, 
and  sustain  the  Confederate  Congress  in  every  measure  of  retaliation  that 
may  be  adopted  against  our  foes,  who  are,  in  effect,  fighting  us  under  the 
blackest  and  most  damning  of  all  flags— a  flag  upon  whose  folds  is  inscribed 
their  intention  and  desire  to  incite  to  servile  war. 

While  I  recognize  the  right  of  the  Confederate  Government  to  dispose  of 
prisoners  of  war,  taken  by  "its  armies  ;  and  while  it  would  be  impolitic  and 
[inadvisable  for  the  State  to  interfere  therewith ;  I  yet  think  that,  where 
parties  are  taken  upon  our  soil,  committing  murder  and  arson,  and  inciting  to 
rebellion  our  servile  population,  the  plea  that  they  are  soldiers  of  the  United 
States  Government,  should  not  be  allowed  to  save  them  from  the  same  sum- 
mary punishment  as  would  be  visited  upon  our  own  citizens  if  convicted  of 
the  same  nefarious  crimes. 

As  Texans,  we  should  feel  that  He  who  ruleth  in  the  Heavens  and  upon 
the  Earth,  hath  protected  and  shielded  our  State  from  the  iron  heel  of  des- 
potism and  tyranny ;  from  the  lust,  avarice,  murder  and  rapine,  that  have 
followed  in  the  footstep  of  the  invader,  and  been  so  deeply  felt  by  our  suffer- 
ing sister-States.  Could  we  but  fonret  the  heavy  and  irreparable  loss  of 
brave  and  devoted  soldiers,  sustained  by  Texas  upon  every  battle  field,  we 
might  congratulate  ourselves  that,  thus  far,  the  evils  of  the  war  have  not 
pressed  heavily  upon  us.  , 

In  almost,  every  important  battle,  our  arms  have  proved  triumphant.  I  am 
proud  of  the  conviction,  that  our  Texans,  elbow  to  elbow  with  their  Confed- 
erate brothers  in  arms,  have  been  conspicuous  in  every  encounter.  No  troops 
have  proved  more  gallant  and  chivalrous :  high  praise  has  been  awarded  them 
by  the  President,  their  Commanding  Generals  and  the  people,  the  evidence 
of  which  exists  in  the  Executive  office.  It  is  too  true,  we  have  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  many— alas !  too  many— of  our  best  and  bravest !— let  us,  however, 
hope  they  have  not  died  in  vain— that  for  every  drop  of  blood  so  shed  in  the 
cause  of  freedom,  an  armed  man  will  spring  up  to  do  battle  in  this  great 
struggle  !  Let  us  cherish  the  memories  of  these  heroes,  and  ever  bear  in  re- 
membrance, that  it  was  for  our  country  and  for  our  liberties,  they  yielded  up 
all  that  was  dear  to  them  upon  earth.  When  peace  shall  have  been  restored 
to  our  fair  land,  let  their  ashes  repose  in  the  bosom  of  the  State  they  loved 
so  well,  and  upon  whose  name  their  deeds  have  shed  so  imperishable  a  luster ! 
Let  a  hundred  columns  mark  the  spots  where  rest  their  ashes,  the  tribute  of 
a  grateful  people,  proud  of  their  deeds!— and  let  them  re-count  to  our  chil- 
dren's children,  the  names  of  the  patriots  who  yielded  their  lives,  a  willing 
sacrifice,  upon  the  altars  of  liberty  ! 

THE    MILITARY    BOARD. 

At  your  last  Session,  you  created  a  "Military  Board,"  composed  of  the 
Governor,  Comptroller  and  Treasurer.  Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the 
Law,  the  Board  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  and  have  continu- 
ed up  to  the  present  moment,  with  all  the  energy  and  ability  they  possess,  to 
carry  out  the  intentions  of  your  Honorable  Body.  In  consequence  of  the  scarc- 
ity of  material;  the  great  number  of  patriotic  Artisans  and  Mechanics,  as  well  as 
laborers,  who  have  flown  to  arms  in  defence  of  the  country;  they  have  en- 
countered almost  insurmountable  difficulties.  Much,  however,  has  been  done 
by  them,  to  place  the  State  in  a  better  posture  of  defense,  than  existed  at  the 
period  of  your  adjournment.  They  have  purchased  and  procured  every  gun 
possible;  made  several  contracts  for  the  manufacture  of  small-arms  which 
are  now  being  rapidly  perfected  j    established,  and  placed  in  successful  oper- 


ation,  a  Foundry  for  the  casting  of  cannon  ;  are  successfully  rorking  a  Percus- 
sion Cap  Factory  ;  aided  in  the  manufacture  of  Gun-powde.- ;  and  all  else,  in 
their  views,  calculated,  at  this  time,  to  benefit  the  country;  they  have,  also, 
introduced  into  the  State  many  articles  of  prime  necessit}',  including  a  large 
amount  of  Powder,  Lead,  and  other  munitions  of  war  and  contracted  with 
parties  to  import  articles  indispensable  to  the  people. 

The  Board,  also,  purchased  and  improvised  the  steamboat  "Bayou  City" 
for  the  protection  of  Galveston  Bay  ;  and,  after  her  completion,  transferred 
her  to  the  Confederate  Government,  saving  tc  the  State  her  cost  and  expen- 
ses, and  contributing  thereby,  on  behalf  of  the  State,  very  material  aid,  in 
the  daring  and  ever-memorable  success,  in  the  capture  of  the  steam  vessel-of- 
war,  "  Harriet  Lane,"  and  the  rescue  of  our  beautiful  I.-Iand  City  from  the 
grasp  of  our  hated  fue. 

They  also  purchased,  and  loaned  to  the  Confederate  Government,  for  use 
within  the  State,  the  two  elegant  and  servicable  Nichols'  Guns,  manufactur- 
ed by  a  skillful  citizen  of  Galveston,  after  whom  they  were  named  ;  and  it  is 
not  without  gratification  they  remark,  that  these  guns  recently  caused  the 
blockading  flert  off  Galveston  to  haul  off,  and  take  position  at  a  very  respect- 
able distance  from  shore.  The  manufacture  of  this  class  of  guns  should  be 
encouraged. 

I  might  say  much  in  regard  to  the  labors  and  action  of  the  Board  :  it  is, 
however,  deemed  best  not  to  enter  into  details,  at  this  time : — suffice  it  to 
say,  that  I  have  found  my  colleagues  ever  ready  to  afford  me  every  assistance, 
in  defending  and  advancing  the  interests  of  the  country.  Every  important 
act  of  the  Board  has  been  the  united  act  of  all. 

I  most  respectfully  ask.  that  a  Joint  Committee  be  appofnted  to  examine, 
and  report  upon,  the  action  and  business  entrusted  to  the  Board  j  this  will 
be  the  best  mode  of  determining  as  to  its  usefulness,  the  benefits  resulting  to 
the  State,  and  the  propriety  of  its  continuance.  I  can  assure  your  Honorable 
Body  that  its  labors  have  been  most  arduous. 

REPORT    OF    THE    ADJUTANT    AND    INSPECTOR    GENERAL. 

I  respectfully  call  your  attention  to  the  Report  of  the  Adjutant  and 
Inspector  General;  in  which  you  will  find  the  details  connected  with  his 
Department,  and  the  duties  performed  under  the  law  since  your  regular 
session,  and  also  many  valuable  suggestions. 

In  con=equence  of  the  large  requisitions  made  upon  the  State  for  men  by 
the  Confederate  Government,  and  the  great  disposition  of  our  citizens  to 
engage  in  the  war,  the  State  military  organization  has  been  almost  destroyed. 
The  labor  in  his  office  has  been  ver)r  arduous,  nni  I  trust,  in  many  respects, 
resulted  in  material  benefit  to  the  State.  The  labor  in  collecting  and  repair- 
ing arms  ;  receiving  and  distributing  munitions  ;  organizing  and  placing  in  the 
field  the  Frontier  Regiment ;  and  in  filling  the  requisitions  of  the  Confeder- 
ate Government,  has  been  immense. 

On  the  21st  December,  1861,  the  Act  was  passed  i:  for  the  protection  of 
the  frontier  of  the  State  of  Texas."  The  first  company  enrolled  under  said 
Act,  (that  of  Capt.  Thomas  Rabb,  of  Karnes  county)  on  the  24th  January, 
1862,  reported  in  camp  awaiting  orders. 

On  the  29th  and  30th  of  the  same  month,  the  Field  Officers  were  placed  on 
duty,  and  the  Companies  of  the  Regiment  in  position  by  the  15th  of  March, 
at  the  several  posts  established  on  the  line  designated  by  the  Colonel  and 
approved  by  the  Executive.  The  Regiment  consisted  of  nine  Companies  ; 
the  tenth  was  not  raised  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the  party  appointed 
in  El  Paso  and  Presidio  counties,  to  enroll  the  men ;  subsequently,  from  the 
best  information  I  could  procure,  I  deemed  it  unnecessary  to  station  a  Com- 
pany in  those  counties  y  hence  the  tenth  Company  was  not  at  that  time  raised. 


In  compliance  with  Section  7th  of  said  Act,  I  immediately  after  the  pas- 
sage of  the  law,  communicated  with  the  Secretary  of  War  and  our  members 
in  Congress,  urging  their  acceptance  of  the  Regiment.  T  received  assurance 
from  our  members  that  the  Regiment  would  be  received.  The  Provisional 
Congress  passed  a  Bill  for  its  acceptance,  which  was,  however,  vetoed  by  the 
President,  on  the  ground  that  it  could  be  accepted  only  unconditionally.  It 
was  again  brought  before  the  permanent  Congress — pas»ed  the  House,  but 
defeated  in  the  Senate.  After  much  conversation  on  the  subject,  with  the 
Commanding  General  of  this  Department,  on  the  1st  October,  ult.,  I  was  in- 
duced to  offer  him  the  Regiment  for  Confederate  service;  believing  it  would 
be  continued  in  service  on  the  line  adopted  for  the  protection  of  the  Frontier, 
a  duty  properly  devolving  upon  the  Confederate  Government,  and  that  it 
would  be  an  immediate  relief  to  our  Treasury.  In  answer  to  my  proposition, 
the  Regiment  was  agreed  to  be  received  so  soon  as  they  should  be  re-mustered, 
and  some  immaterial  arrangements  made.  The  arrangements  for  the  transfer 
were  about  completed,  when  I  leceived  a  communication  indicating  most 
clearly,  that  the  present  Commanding  General,  induced  by  an  apprehension 
of  an  invasion  of  the  lower  Rio  Grande,  would  forthwith  withdraw  five  Com- 
panies of  this  Regiment,  for  service  on  the  lower  Rio  Grande.  Although,  in 
accepting  the  Regiment,  the  Commanding  General  could  make  no  terms  with 
me  as  to  its  future  disposition,  1  yet  believed  the  Regiment  would  be  retained 
on  the  line  for  the  protection  of  the  Frontier;  consequently,  when  the  fact 
was  made  apparent  before  the  transfer,  that  a  very  large  number  of  our 
Frontier  counties  would  be  immediately  deprived  of  protection  by  said  transfer 
— there  being  no  Confederate  troops  on  the  line — I  withheld  my  approval 
thereof,  deeming  it  best  to  await  your  action. 

This  Regiment  has  performed  good  and  efficient  service,  and  been  of  great 
benefit.  It  has  given  the  Frontier  settlers  confidence;  many  good  men  have 
joined  the  Confederate  service,  and  gone  beyond  the  limits  of  the  State, 
leaving  their  families  and  property  in  the  Frontier  counties,  because  they  had 
confidence  in  that  organization,  and  believed  the  State  was  determined  to 
protect  its  Frontier. 

The  Frontier  counties,  with  their  very  sparse  population,  have  nobly 
responded  to  the  call  of  their  country  ;  they  should  be  sustained.  Unless 
protection  be  afforded  them,  the  Frontier  must  recede  and  give  way  before 
the  in  foals  of  the  Indians;  for  just  so  soon  as  you  fail  to  keep  up  a  system 
of  defense  in  )our  outer  counties,  will  they  press  forward  upon  the  interior, 
wardering  and  robbing. 

That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Confederate  Government  to  protect  our  Fron- 
tier, there  is,  and  can  be,  no  question  ;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  that 
we  are  now  engaged  in  a  desperate  war,  and  that  the  Government  has  need  of 
every  man  she  can  procure  to  operate  against  an  enemy  more  barbarous  than 
the  Indian;  hence  the  necessity  for  the  State  authorities  to  look  to  the 
safety  of  htr  people  on  her  exposed  borders  ;  the}r  must  be  protected  at  all 
hazards,  and  at  every  co>t  Treasure  must  not  be  weighed  against  the  blood 
of  our  women  and  children ! 

The  Frontier  Regiment  has  entered  the  service  for  three  years  or  the  war, 
preparatory  to  its  transfer  to  the  Confederate  service.  They  are  willing,  and 
expect  to  be  transferred,  should  it  be  the  pleasure  of  your  Honorable  Body. 
With  the  exercise  of  the  most  rigid  econom}',  the  expense  of  keeping  this 
Regiment  in  the  field,  up  to  this  time,  has  been  about  $800,000. 

1  beg  leave  to  suggest  the  following  plan  for  the  protection  of  the  Frontier, 
in  addition  to  what  the  Confederate  Government,  may  do :  Let  some  twenty- 
five  counties  on  a  line  from  Red  River  to  the  Rio  Grande  be  selected; 
appoint  in  each  of  sue  .  counties,  a  Captain  and  twenty  men  citizens  of    the 


same,  who  will  be  sworn  in  as  soldiers  for  the  protection  of  the  Frontier ; 
pay  to  each  of  the  Captains  $750,  and  each  man  $500  per  annum ;  these 
troops  furnishing  their  own  hor.-es,  arms  and  subsistence ;  appoint  one  or  two 
Commissioners,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  travel  along  the  line,  receive  reports 
as  to  the  management  of  the  Companies,  their  efficiency,  and  the  protection 
they  afford,  paying  off  the  Companies,  and  exercising  a  general  supervision 
over  the  line. 

This  plan  would  give  about  500  men  ;  would  not  cost  the  State  a  sum  ex- 
ceeding $300,000  per  annum,  about  one-fourth  of  what  it  will  cost,  at  the 
present  enormous  prices  of  subsistence,  &c,  to  keep  a  Regiment  like  the 
present  in  the  field,  and  would,  I  believe,  give  protection  and  satisfaction  to 
the  Frontier  settler. 

It  would  take  but  a  short  time  to  perfect  this  system  of  defense.  We 
could  then  turn  over  the  present  Regiment  to  the  Confederate  Government, 
without  much  risk ;  and  whenever  that  Government  placed  upon  the  Fron- 
tier a  force  adequate  to  its  protection,  we  could  di-band  any  organization  the 
State  might  have  in  service. 

Should  you  resolve  to  reta'm  the  Frontier  Regiment  in  the  State  service, 
some  amendments  of  the  law  creating  it  could  be  made,  which  would  add  to 
its  efficiency. 

In  re-mustering  the  Regiment  for  three  years  or  the  war,  expecting  as  I 
did  to  transfer  it  to  the  Confederate  States,  I  waived  the  power  of  appoint- 
ment vested  in  me  by  the  law,  and  gave  to  the  men  the  election  of  their 
Field  Officers.  I  conceived  it  would  pmve  more  satisfactory,  and  it  was  a 
right  they  would  have  had  in  re-organizing  a  new  Regiment  for  Confederate 
service.  I  am  pleased  to  say,  that  in  my  judgment,  they  made  a  very  good 
selection  of  officers. 

It  is  with  profound  regret  and  mortification  I  am  compelled  to  inform  you 
of  the  untimely  death  of  Lt.  Col.  A.  T.  Obenchain,  late  of  the  Frontier 
Regiment.  He  was  unquestionably  murdered  ;  and  the  supposition  is,  by  his 
escort,  tMro  men  named  E.  F.  Whatley  and  Rector  Stockton,  privates  in  Capt. 
Cureton's  Company,  I,  Frontier  Regiment. 

Every  effort  has  been  made  to  arrest  these  two  parties,  supposed  to  be  his 
murderers,  but  thus  far,  without  avail. 

STATE    TROOPS. 

In  consequence  of  the  large  number  of  volunteers  who  have  crowded  to 
the  Confederate  standard  since  the  passage  of  the  Act  of  December  25th,  1 801, 
"to  perfect  the  organization  of  State  troops,  and  place  the  same  on  a  war 
footing,"  and  that  of  the  several  Conscript  Acts,  taking  all  between  the  ages 
of  18  and  45  years  of  age,  the  entire  Military  force  of  the  State  has  become 
almost  wholly  disorganized. 

I  have  recently  experienced  much  difficulty  in  filling  a  requisition  made 
upon  me  for  5000  State  troops  for  three  months  service  for  the  defense  of  the 
State.  I  beg  to  cull  your  attention  to  the  Report  of  the  Adjutant  and 
Inspector  General  on  this  subject,  and  particularly  to  his  suggestions :  that 
all  persons  cappble  of  bearing  arms  from  the  age  of  10  to  00  years  of  age,  be 
enrolled.  There  is  no  good  reason  why  stout  and  able-bodied  youths,  and  old 
men,  should  not  be  required  to  render  service  in  defense  of  the  State.  It 
may  become  necessary  to  place  in  the  Confederate  service,  every  man  from 
18  to  45  and  even  to  50  years  of  age.  We  should,  therefore,  prepare  to  de- 
fend the  State  with  the  boys  and  old  men. 

You  will  also,  upon  examination  of  the  Report,  see  the  importance  of 
effecting  a  change  in  the  Military  Law  with  respect  to  Commissioned  Officers. 

In  filling  the  late  requisition  for  5000  troops,  being  fully  aware  that,  in 
most  instances,  the  Companies,  Battalions  and  Regiments,  were  reduced  to 


mere  skeletons,  and  that  new  organizations  would  have  to  be  formed,  I  gave 
the  men  the  privilege  of  electing  the  officers  to  command  them  in  the  field. 
It  was  impossible  to  assign  a  tenth  of  the  officers  to  duty ;  hence  I  preferred 
this  plan,  trusting  the  officers  would  volunteer  and  accompany  the  men, 
taking  their  chances  for  election.  Very  few,  however,  did  so;  the  rest 
claimed  their  exemption  from  draft,  and  requested  to  be  furloughed.  I  have, 
under  the  circumstances,  granted  their  requests. 

I  think,  however,  tbe  law  should  be  so  amended  as  to  make  them  liable  to 
go  into  the  ranks,  whenever  the  Company  to  which  they  are  attached  falls 
below  the  minimum  number,  and  which  minimum  should  be  raised  considera- 
bljr  over  the  present  number. 

Early  last  Autumn,  Brigadier  Gen.  Hudson,  of  the  21st  Brigade,  State 
troops,  apprehending  great  danger  from  the  Indians,  who  had  risen  upon  the 
Indian  Agent  and  other  whites  at  Fort  Cobb  ;  fearing  also  at  the  same  time, 
an  invasion  by  Jayhawkers  and  Indians,  and  that  an  attempt  would  be  made 
to  seize  and  take  possessson  of  ammunition  held  by  Cook  county,  called  into 
service  three  Companies  of  State  troops,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive, which  was  given,  and  the  Companies  were  accepted  into  the 
Confederate  States'  service  by  Brigadier  Gen.  P.  0.  Hebert,  the  General 
Commanding  in  Texas  at  that  time. 

THE    PENITENTIARY. 

I  respectfully  solicit  your  attention  to  the  workings  of  the  State  Peniten- 
tiary. This  Institution  has  become  a  most  important  auxiliary  to  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  is  occupying  a  very  prominent  position  in  the  public  mind. 

When  1  came  into  office,  I  found  it  largely  involved  ;  and  although  the 
debts  due  the  concern  were  nearly  equal  to  its  liabilities,  they  were  unavail- 
able, while  the  latter  had  to  be  paid.  I  found,  too,  that  a  contract  had  been 
entered  into  by  the  officers  of  the  Institution,  with  the  sanction  of  my  prede- 
cessor, wirh  Irby  Morgan,  a  Quarter  Master  in  the  C.  S.  service,  stationed 
with  what  was  then  called  the  Army  of  the  West,  in  Tennessee,  for  one-half 
of  all  the  woolen  and  cotton  goods  manufactured,  tUe  contract  to  continue 
six  months,  with  the  privilege,  on  Morgan's  part,  to  extend  it  six  additional 
months.  I  discovered  that  it  took  the  balance  of  the  products  to  clothe  the 
soldiers  in  this  Department.  It  appeared,  also,  that  a  very  large  credit  busi- 
ness had  been  done  by  the  preceding  Financial  Agent.  I  instructed  the  pres- 
ent Financial  Agent  to  sell  entirely  for  cash  ;  and  althongh  I  was  willing  for 
the  Confederate  authorities  to  have  what  was  needed  for  our  sold  ers,  they, 
too,  were  to  pay  cash,  or  make  payments  at  such  stated  periods  as  would  en- 
able the  concern  to  be  carried  on  advantageously. 

Seeing  that  the  goods  obtained  by  Morgan  were  being  sent  out  of  the  State; 
and  knowing  that  the  facilities  for  procuring  cloth  East  of  the  Mississippi 
were  more  abundant  than  West  of  that  river,  I  very  soon  directed  the  Finan- 
cial Agent  to  notify  Capt.  Morgan  that  his  contract  could  not  be  extended — 
that  the  necessities  of  the  State  forbade  it,  and  that  unless  I  had  assurances 
that  our  Texas  soldiers  were  receiving  the  benefit  of  his  contract,  I  should 
stop  it  all.  He  readily  agreed  to  my  suggestions,  and  his  contract  expired  in 
April  last. 

From  that,  time,  my  orders  have  been  imperative,  that  the  soldiers  of  Tex- 
as be  first  supplied  ;  after  them,  their  families  ;  and  next,  the  actual  consumer ; 
but  under  no  circumstances  was  a  yard  of  cloth  to  be  sold  to  retailers  or 
speculators.  I  believed  the  best  way  for  clothing  our  troops  was  through  the 
various  Quartermasters  and  Government  Agents,who  were  bonded  officers  and 
charged  with  that  specific  duty  ;  and  hence  I  had  their  requisitions  filled  ; 
and  up  to  Sept.  1st,  1862,  having  investigated  the  subject,  and  made  the 
calculation,  I  found  the  army  had  received  three-fourths  of  all  the  woolen, 


8 

and  largely  over  one-half  of  the  cotton  goods  manufactured.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  this  is  the  only  establishment  West  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  capable  of  furnishing  clothing;,  tent  clothes,  wagon-sheets  and  flour- 
sacking,  &c,  &c.  The  result  was,  that  when  the  necessities  of  this  Depart- 
ment and  that  of  Arkansas  were  filled,  but  little  was  left  to  distribute  among 
our  people. 

Entertaining  the  hope  that  the  Institution  might  supply  the  wants  of  some 
of  the  people,  I  directed  the  Financial  Agent,  after  supplying  the  army,  to 
furnish  the  actual  consumer  what  he  could  spare;  and  advised  him  to  require 
of  every  such  applicant  an  affidavit  stating  the  goods  were  for  his  own  use,  or 
the  use  of  those  for  whom  he  applied,  and  would  not  be  sold  or  bartered. 
This  I  suggested  as  a  safeguard  against  imposition,  and  for  the  protection  of 
the  honest  citizen  ;  and  much  was  I  astonished  to  learn  that  this  course  was 
objected  to  by  many  of  those  whose  interests  the  rule  was  intended  to  secure. 

As  soon  as  this  regulation  became  generally  known,  thousands  of  parties 
made  application  for  cloth,  and,  of  course,  the  great  majority  of  them  were 
doomed  to  disappointment,  and  were  consequently  dissatisfied.  The  Institu- 
tion could  not  supply  one  fiftieth  of  these  demands :  the  army  had  to  be  first 
supplied,  which  left  but  little  to  be  divided  among  the  people.  About  this 
time,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  records  in  my  office,  I  was  totally  unable,  with- 
out neglecting  my  other  official  business,  to  reply  to  the  numerous  letters 
received  concerning  Penitentiary  goods  ;  and  was  compelled  in  consequence, 
on  the  9th  August,  1862,  to  write  a  public  letter  to  the  Financial  Agent  in 
the  following  words : 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  \ 
Austin,  August  9th,  1862.      $ 
General  Jno.  S.  Besser,  F.  A.,  State  Penitentiary,  Huntsville, 

Sir: — I  find  it  impossible  for  me  to  give  attention  to  the  many  communi- 
cations received  in  regard  to  the  disposition  of  Goods  manufactured  at  the 
Penitentiary. 

I  regret  that  the  capacity  of  the  Institution  is  not  sufficient  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  entire  community. 

As  I  have  repeatedly  said  to  you,  our  Texas  soldiers  in  the  service  of  the 
Confederacy  and  State  must  be  first  cared  for.  They  are  continually  exposed 
to  the  vicissitudes  of  climate,  weather,  &c,  and  to  make  them  efficient  they 
must  be  provided  with  clothing. 

After  you  have  supplied  their  wants,  then  their  families  should  be  relieved 
to  toe  utmost  of  your  ability. 

Next  in  turn  should  be  provided  the  actual  consumer. 

While  our  country  is  in  its  present  condition,  not  one  yard  of  cloth  should 
be  sold  to  retailers  or  speculators 

In  regard  to  the  details  of  supplying  cloth,  it  must  be  arranged  by  you.  I 
cannot  undertake  to  act  upon  the  many  cases  presented  to  me. 

The  officers  of  the  Penitentiary  are  expected  to  discharge  their  duties 
promptly,  faithfully,  impartially,  and  efficiently,  and  they  will  be  held  to 
strict  accountability  for  any  dereliction  of  duty. 

You  can  publish  this  letter  for  the  benefit  of  the  public,  and  adopt  such 
rules,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Directory,  as  to  the  distribution  of  cloth, 
as  will  best  subserve  the  public  interest. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

F    R.  LUBBOCK. 

This  only  caused  many  more  applications  to  be  filed,  dooming  the  applicants 
still  to  disappointment.  Shortly  thereafter,  I  was  induced  to  change  the 
whole  plan  by  letters  of  the  most  urgent  and  distressing  character  from  Gens. 
Hindman  and  Holmes  as  to  the  condition  of  their  troops  in  Arkansas  ;  most 


of  whom  w  ere  Texans.  I  did  not,  however,  as  has  been  said,  give  the  con- 
trol of  the  Penitentiary  to  Gen.  Holmes,  or  the  Confederate  officers ;  but  I 
did  recognize  his  right  to  control  the  Quarter  Masters  in  the  Trans-Missis- 
sippi Department :  believing  that  under  his  management,  our  Texas  soldiers 
would  be  better  and  more  speedily  clothed,  I  gave  him  all  of  the  goods  man- 
ufactured at  tbe  Penitentiary  for  the  present,  reserving  a  sufficient  amount  of 
cotton  cloth,  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  County  Courts  of  tbe  State  to 
clothe  the  indigent  lamilies  of  the  soldiers  in  the  service. 

I  think  I  did  right.  I  said  then  that  I  hoped  the  troops  would  be  benefited; 
and  knowing,  as  I  did,  the  suffering  of  our  people  at  home  for  clothing,  I 
urged  Gen.  Holmes  to  obtain  supplies  elsewhere,  if  possible,  in  order  that  the 
cloth  might  be  distributed  to  the  needy  among  our  citizens.  I  also  said  that 
our  people,  although  suffering,  should  recollect  that  while  they  were  at  home 
where  shelter  could  I  e  obtained,  our  brave  boys  were  exposed  to  the  cold 
blasts  of  winter  as  well  as  the  iron  hail  of  the  accursed  enemy  ;  and  that  they 
should  be  willing  for  the  soldier  who  was  fighting  their  battles  to  be  pro- 
vided even  to  their  discomfort. 

Many  have  complained  and  said  that  the  Institution  should  be  run  at  night. 
I  fully  subscribed  to  this:  but  an  investigation  of  the  project  satisfied  me  it 
would  not  do — the  risk,  if  no  other  objection  existed,  would  be  too  great. 
Others  suggested  that  it  should  be  run  on  Sunda}rs  :  this,  too,  I  found  im- 
practicable, for  which  many  good  reasons  could  be  given. 

It  would  be  unreasonable  10  suppose  that  such  an  establishment  as  this,  be- 
longing to  the  State,  in  which  every  citizen  imagines  he  has  an  interest,  could, 
in  its  operations,  in  these  times  of  distress  and  scaicity  of  every  article  of 
clothing,  please  generally.  "While  I  could  not  reasonably  expect  this,  my 
sole  aim  has  been  to  make  it  do  all  the  good  possible. 

I  jclieve  that,  through  the  untiring  energy,  skill  and  ability,  of  those  di- 
rectly in  charge  of  the  Institution,  it  will  compare  favorably  with,  if  not  sur- 
pass, the  workings  of  any  of  a  similar  character  in  the  Contederacy.  I  should 
think  I  was  guilty  of  an  act  of  injustice  towards  the  Superintendent  and 
Financial  Agent  did  I  not  say  this  much. 

Tbe  Special  Report  of  the  Financial  Agent,  furnished  at  my  request  for 
your  information,  is  respectfully  called  to  your  attention. 

It  discloses  that  from  the  1st  day  of  December  1861,  to  the  3lst  December 
1862,  a  period  of  thirteen  months,  there  was  manufactured  of  cotton  goods 
1,376,700,0  yards,  and  of  woolens  211,151,2  yards,  ot  the  former  of  which  was 
sold  to  the  army  7('<5. 791,2  yards,  and  of  the  latter  184,241,2  yds.,  making 
largely  over  ^  the  cottons  and  greatly  exceeding  $  of  the  woolens  manufact- 
ured. The  Lunatic  Asylum  received  602  yds.  woolens,  and  1,000  yds.  cot- 
tons. The  balance  589,217,0  yds.  cottons,  and  22,845,1  woolens  were  absorbed 
by  the  Factory,  Penitentiary,  clothing  of  the  convicts,  families  of  soldiers, 
and  general  supplies  for  the  Institution. 
The  gross  earnings  of  the  Institution  for  the  same  period  have 

been, $467,529,20 

The  amount,  expended  has  been,  -  222.499,36 

Special  deposit  with  State  Treasurer,     -  236.502.25 

With  a  Cash  balance  on  hand  of,  ...  -  8,527,69 

The  amount  of  indebtedness  previous  to  Dec.  1st,  1861,  which  has  been 
paid  by  the  present  Financial  Agent,  is  $64,707,37,  more  than  the  amount  re- 
ceived b}r  him,  due  previous  to  that  time.  The  amount  of  cash  received  by 
him  upon  taking  charge  of  the  Penitentiary  was  $36.80. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  this  Institution  has  been  most  ably,  successfully 
and  profitably  managed,  placing  into  the  Treasury  a  very  large  amount. 

The  Military  Board  having  been  requested  by  the  Financial  Agent  to  do  so, 


10 

and  deeming  it  themselves  of  vital  importance,  ordered  from  Europe  certain 
articles  absolutely  necessary  to  keep  the  Institution  profitably  in  operation. 
It  may  become  necessary  while  the  war  lasts,  to  empower  the  Directors  to 
obtain,  even  at  great  risk,  everything  required  to  keep  the  establishment  in 
good  working  order,  and,  if  possible,  to  increase  its  productive  capacity,  so 
important  to  our  army  and  people,  provided  they  pay  for  such  articles  and 
necessary  improvements  out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  Institution. 

There  has  been  much  said  in  regard  to  the  bad  rnnnagement  of  the  Peni- 
tentiary ;  and  in  some  instances,  charges  have  been  made  of  unfairness,  mal- 
feasance, &c,  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  officers. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  consider  it  due  to  those  officers  and  the  people, 
that  these  things  should  be  properly  investigated;  and  if  any  officer,  directly 
or  indirectly  charged  with  the  management  of  ihe  Institution,  has  been  guilty 
of  wrong  doing,  let  him  be  held  up  to  public  scorn. 

With  this  view,  I  beg  of  your  Honorable  Body  to  appoint  a  Joint  Commit- 
tee to  examine  into  both  the  Financial  and  Mechanical  workings  of  the  Insti- 
tution ;  and  I  trust  you  will  pardon  me  for  suggesting  that  the  Committee  be 
selected  of  experienced,  practical  business  men,  from  (Afferent  sections  of  the 
State,  not  residing  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Penitentiary,  and  strangers 
to  its  officers. 

Since  penning  the  above,  I  have  unexpected!}'  received  a  very  interesting 
Report  from  the  Directors,  covering  a  Report  from  the  Superintendent.  These 
Reports  contain  much  valuable  information,  and  many  important  suggestions, 
which  I  beg  leave  to  call  particularly  to  }rour  attention. 

HOSPITAL    FUND. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  Law  creating  a  Hospital  Fund  for  the 
benefit  of  the  sick  and  wounded  Texas  soldiers  in  the  Confederate  Array,  I 
appointed  Dr.  R.  T.  Flewellen  to  visit  the  army  in  Virginia,  and  Dr.  A.  H. 
Rippetoe,  the  army  in  Kentucky.  I  placed  in  their  hands  the  sum  of  $5,000 
each  in  specie,  with  instructions  to  make  exchange,  whenever  they  deemed  it 
to  the  interest  of  the  Fund  to  do  so. 

Dr.  Flewellen  remained  in  Virginia  but  a  short  time,  informing  me  that  he 
did  not  believe  his  services  there  would  compensate  for  the  expense  attending 
his  stay — that  our  troops  were  there  doing  very  well.  After  expending  a 
small  amount  for  the  relief  of  certain  Hospitals,  that  had  contributed  to  the 
comfort  of  our  men,  relieving  the  wants  of  some  of  our  soldiers,  and  deposit- 
ing with  the  Colonels  of  the  1st,  4th,  and  5th  Texas  Regiments,  the  sum  of 
$1,833  33£,  each,  for  their  use,  he  returned  to  Texas,  and  paid  into  the  Treas- 
ury $708,05;  the  premium  obtained  on  .-ale  of  specie  was  $2,360. 

Dr.  Rippetoe,  I  regret  to  say,  was  compelled  to  return  home  iu  consequence 
of  ill  health.  During  his  short  stay  with  our  troops,  he  accomplished  much 
good,  relieving  a  large  number  of  our  soldiers.  He  realized  $1,153  premium 
on  account  of  specie  sold,  and  returned  to  the  Treasury  $1,900  in  specie,  and 
$3,100*  45  in  Confederate  Notes. 

These  two  gentlemen  made  no  charge  except  for  actual  expenses. 

Deeming  it  best  that  permanent  Agents  should  be  with  our  troops,  so  far 
from  their  homes,  kindred  and  friends,  and  that  such  was  the  wish  of  the 
Legislature;  I  appointed  Dr.  J.  W.  Fennell,  instructing  him  to  proceed  to 
Virginia,  to  the  army  of  Gen.  Lee,  or  wherever  else  he  might  find  our  Texas 
Troops  in  that  State,  and  to  extend  to  them  such  relief  as  they  might  require; 
and,  if  deemed  advisable,  to  establish  a  separate  Hospital  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Texas  Troops.  I  placed  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Fennell  $14,500,  and  gave 
him  authority  to  control  the  $5,500  deposited  with  the  officers  of  the  Texas 
Regiments  in  Virginia,  making  $20,000.  Up  to  the  3d  December,  1862,  Dr. 
Fennell  had  expended  the  sum  of  $7,224  37 — had  in  operation  an  Hospital 


11 


at  Richmond,  exclusively  for  Texans,  and  was  being  assisted  m  its  manage- 
ment by  the  Confederate  Medical  authorities.  n,1(iiifl 

I  appointed  Dr.  Louis  A.  Bryan,  and  gave  him  Fifty  Thousand  Dollar,, 
with  instructions  to  join  what  was,  at  that  time  known  as  Brags ;s  Amy, 
East  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  charged  him  with  the  duty  of  looking  alter 
all  Texans  in  that  section  of  the  country;  authorizing  him  if  deemed  expedi- 
ent, to  establish  one  or  more  Hospitals ;  one  of  which  he  located  at  Qu.tman 
and  another  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  both  being  now  in  successful  operation  At 
Retime  his  last  report  was  made,  he  had  under  treatment,  a  ,vm ;  ltrg 
number  of  patients;  and  although  the  C.  S.  Government  ,s  extending  ts  him 
very  material  aid,  his  Fund  is  becoming  rapidly  exhausted.  ^ 

On  the  30th  November,  last,  he  had  in  Hospital  4G9  patients,  and  had  ex- 
pended of  his  Fund,  the  sum  of  $  19.435  86. 

P  After  exerts  myself  for  some  time,  I  succeeded  in  procuring  the  services 
of  Dr  George  A  Feris,  for  the  Texas  sol  diets  in  the  Army  ol  Arkansas,  and 
placed  in  his  hands  the  sum  of  .^20,000;  sufficient  time  has  i.ot  elapsed,  since 
his  appointment,  to  receive  a  report  of  bis  operation* 

I  car.  assure  the  Legislature  that  they  passed  no  law  at  their  last  session 
likely  to  confer  more  benefits  than   the  law  creating  the  Hospital   Fund.     1 
fear,  however,  the  appropriation  will  prove  insufficient  to  sustain  the  Ilospi 
tals  until  the  Wulir  Session.     I  therefore  suggest,  that  an  additional  appro- 
priation be  made  for  this  humane  and  generous  purpose. 

The  ladies  of  the  country,  with  that  kindness  ol  heart  and  marked  patriot- 
ism, which  has  distinguished  their  conduct  since  the  fir.t  gun  was  fired  at 
FortSumpter;  perceiving  the  insufficiency  of  the ,  appropriation ,  and  fearing 
our  brave  men-their  fathers,  husbands,  brothers,  lovers,  and  friends-might 
pcssiblv,  suffer  for  such  comforts  and  necessaries,  as  the  Government  could 
not  furnish  ;  have,  with  a  lavish  hand,  been  adding  to  the  appropriation.  1  hey 
have  plied  their  needles,  their  wheels  and  looms  ;  they  have  brought  into  suc- 
cessful requisition  their  musical  and  vocal  powers,  in  aid  of  the  Hospital 

F  When  the  future  historian  of  this  war  shall  recount  the  deeds  of  heroism, 
of  which  it  has  been  so  fertile,  how  brigUly  beautiful  must  the  patriotism, 
self-denial,  and  courage  of  the  women  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  appear. 
They  will  descend  to  posterity  peerless  among  women  I 

THK    CURRENCY    AND    HIGH    PRICES. 

Many  are  the  reasons  given  to  account  for  the  great  depreciation  of  Confed- 
erate Treasury  Notes,  and  the  high  prices  asked  for  every  article  of  prune  ne- 
cessity in  the  country.  The  pe  pie  will  look  to  you  with  hope,  not  unm.ng h 
ed  with  anxiety,  to  solve  this  difficult  problem  and  to  the  measures  you  will 
adopt,  to  enhance  the  value  of  the  currency,  and,  thereby  reduce  t tee norri- 
ous  prices  demanded  for  everything  bought  and  sold  w.th.n  the  State.  My 
impression  is,  that  the  large  amount  of  Confederate  Treasury  Notes  in  circu- 
lation, and  our  proximity  to  a  people  entirely  spec:e-t.ad.ng,  with  whom  is 
our  almost  sole  commercial  intercourse,  are  the  chief  causes;  and,  in  order  to 
effect  a  speedy  and  favorable  change,  it  is  essential  that  a  large  amount  of  the 
Treasury  Notes  of  the  Confederate  States  be,  at  once,  withdrawn  from  circu- 
lation. To  aid  in  effecting  a  result  so  desirable,  I  hope  the  Confederate  Gov- 
ernment will,  without  delay,  proceed  to  the  imposition  and  collection  of  a 
larger  tax,  and  encourage  the  funding  system,  even  should  it  be  nee essary,  to 
effect  that  result,  to  increase  the  rate  of  interest.  Congress  should  also, 
amend  the  Sequestration  Act,  so  as  to  collect  the  large  amounts  due  Never 
will  a  more  favorable  time  occur  for  the  debtors  0f  the  Government  to  liqui- 
date the  demands  against  them.  The  State  tax  should  also  be  raised  to  double 
its  present  rate  j  there  never  was  a  period  when  our  people  were  so  able  to 


12 

pay  their  taxes,  as  at  present,  when  money  is  so  abundant,  and  property  of 
every  kind  bringing  such  enormous  prices. 

Another  measure,  whose  adoption  would  aid  in  sustaining  the  currency, 
is,  the  compulsory  withdrawal  from  circulation  of  corporate  and  individual 
shin-pla»ters  under  most  prompt  and  severe  penalties.  I  am  of  opinion  that 
it  would  be  best  for  Counties  to  borrow  what  money  they  may  need,  on  their 
Bonds,  and  withdraw  ail  their  change-notes  from  circulation,  leaving  the  Con- 
federate Treasury  Notes,  and  such  Texas  Treasury  Warrants  as  may  be  out, 
to  serve  the  purposes  of  circulation  and  change.  Were  this  done,  I  believe  it 
would  be  attended  with  a  good  effect.  I  feel  satisfied  your  Honorable  Body 
will  leave  nothing  undone,  you  can  legally  do,  to  sustain  the  credit  of  the 
Government ;  for,  upon  that  credit  depends,  perhaps,  the  success  of  our  pres- 
ent -truggle  for  a  separate  existence. 

There  majr  be  those  among  us  who  wilfull}''  depreciate  our  currency  ;  I 
trust  they  are  but  few  in  number,  and,  like  tbe  traitors  in  our  midst,  consti- 
tute but  rare  exceptions.  Should  there  be  citizens  in  the  country  refusing  to 
receive  the  currency  for  debts  contracted  in  the  due  course  of  trade,  and, 
who,  holding  large  amounts  of  interest-bearing  paper  lor  better  times,  expect, 
at  the  termination  of  the  war,  through  the  action  of  the  Courts,  to  sell  and 
sacrifice  the  property  of  their  neighbors  for  specie;  I  trust  the  Legislature 
will  so  change  the  remedy  as  to  save  our  people  from  bankruptcy  and  ruin. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  many  distinguished  Jurists  and  Statesmen,  that  the 
Confederate  Congress  has  the  right  to  make  the  Treasury  Notes  of  the  Gov- 
ernment a  legal  tender ;  if  this  be  so,  now  is  the  time  for  such  action.  I 
should  be  pleased  to  see  you  express  an  opinion  on  this  point. 

PROVISION    FOR    THE    FAMILIES    OF    THOSE    IN    THE    SERVICE. 

I  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  the  absolute  necessity  that  exists,  of 
making  further  provisim  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  those  in  the  ser- 
vice. I  am  aware  the  Counties  have  been  very  liberally  providing  for  them, 
thus  far.  It  is,  however,  useless  to  disguise  the  fact,  that  this  burden  upon 
them  must  daily  increase  with  the  continuance  of  the  war;  and  should  the 
contest  be  prolonged  to  the  end  of  the  year,  it  will  be  necessary  that  thousands 
more  of  our  citizens  take  the  field,  thus  increasing  the  number  of  families  in 
every  County  to  be  provided  for.  In  addition  to  what  the  Counties  may  do, 
I  am  of  opinion  the  State  should  make  a  most  liberal  appropriation  for  this 
purpose.  The  troops  in  the  field  are  the  soldiers,  not  of  a  particular  County, 
but  of  the  entire  State  ;  and  it  would  be  but  equitable,  that  the  State  pro- 
vide for  their  families.  This  plan  would  also  seem  just  in  another  view: 
many  Counties  with  the  smallest,  populations  are  the  most  wealthy  ;  they 
furnish  but  few  soldiers,  consequently,  while  other  small  tax-paying  Counties 
have  a  large  excess  of  men  in  the  field,  and,  therefore,  many  more  families  to 
provide  for;  hence  it  seems  but  just,  they  should  be  cared  for  out  of  the  pub- 
lic Treasury.  I  am  wedded  to  no  particular  plan,  by  the  operation  of  which 
the  relief  sought  is  to  be  afforded  ;  but  I  most  earnestly  advise  that  ample 
provision  be  made  to  ward  off  distress  from  the  families  of  those  wl  o  are  so 
nobly  serving  their  country.  That  there  will  be  destitution  among  them,  un- 
less such  provision  be  made,  there  can  be  no  doubt- 
In  connection  with  this  subject,  I  believe  that  authority  should  be  lodged 
somewhere,  so  that,  in  the  purchasing  of  articles  for  the  purposes  indicated, 
if  the  parties  having  them — particularly  breadstuff's,  meat,  &c, — refuse  to  sell 
at  a  fair  price,  for  the  currency  of  the  country,  the  goods  should  be  liable  to 
seizure  and  appraisement. 

THE  CULTIVATION    OF  COTTON   TO    BE  LIMITED,  AND  THE    GROWTH  OF  CORN  TO 

BE    INCREASED. 

I  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the  great  necessity  that  exists  for  limiting, 


13 

by  Legislative  action,  the  planting  of  cotton  during  the  existence  of  the  war. 
It  is  undeniable  that,  upon  slave  labor,  both  our  armies  and  the  families  of 
our  gallant  soldiers,  depend  for  subsistence.  A  very  great  majority  of  our 
laboring  white  population  are  in  the  field,  or  will  be  there.  Our  lands,  too, 
cultivated  by  white  labor,  cannot,  with  certainty,  be  relied  upon  to  produce 
corn,  in  consequence  of  the  uncertainty  of  the  seasons,  in  those  sections  of 
the  State  where  this  species  of  labor  predominates — hence,  we  are  reduced  to 
the  necessity  of  looking  to  the  rich  bottom  lands,  cultivated  by  the  slave,  for 
a  supply  of  corn  adequate  to  the  future  demand  ;  and  to  secure  a  sufficiency, 
less  cotton  must  be  planted.  If  we  expect  our  troops  in  the  field  to  remain 
content,  they  must  feel  that  those  at  home,  their  wives  and  little  ones,  are 
cared  for.  The  cotton  planter  should  not  be  permitted  to  place  in  cultivation 
more  than  a  given  number  of  acres — I  would  suggest  three  acres  to  the  full 
hand — if  he  exceed  that  amount,  he  should  be  condemned  to  pajr  at  least 
$500  per  acre.  The  quantity  of  cotton  thus  raised  would  be  amply  sufficient 
for  all  purposes  j  wonld  bring  the  planter  a  large  return,  and  leave  land  enough 
to  supply  the  country  bountifully  with  cereals  ;  the  planting  of  which,  in 
abundance,  should  be  required  of  every  planter  and  farmer. 

It  may  be  urged,  that  such  Legislative  action  would  be  an  unjustifiable  in- 
terference with  a  legitimate  calling.  I  will,  in  reply,  simply  say,  that  "self- 
preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature;  "  and  the  axiom  may,  I  presume,  be 
with  propriety  applied  to  communities  and  States,  as  well  as  to  individuals  ; 
and  I  am  convinced  that,  unless  some  such  course  be  adopted,  there  will  be 
famine  in  the  land  ;  the  cry  for  bread  will  be  raised  ;  Buffering  will  ensue  -T  and 
the  bold  and  true  hearts,  gallantly  fighting  the  fight  of  liberty,  will  be  bowed 
down  and  dispirited.  Let  me,  therefore,  urge  upon  your  Honorable  Body, 
to  give  this  matter  your  most  serious  attention,  esteeming  it,  as  I  do,  of  su- 
preme importance. 

DISTILLERIES. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  subject,  it  is,  with  regret,  I  call  your  at- 
tention to  the  very  large  number  of  Distilleries  now  in  operation,  and  being 
put  in  operation,  within  the  State  : — the  numbers  that  have  sprung  into  op- 
eration, since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  might  be  deemed  fabulous.  On 
the  28th  day  of  May  last,  I  issued  a  Proclamation,  ordering  all  such  estab- 
lishments to  be  clo>ed  ;  deeming  it  of  supreme  importance  to  preserve  the 
grain  for  the  use  of  the  army  and  people,  and  save  our  soldiers  from  the  per- 
nicious effects  resulting  from  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquo:s.  I  was,  at  the 
same  time,  convinced  that,  in  portions  of  the  State,  the  crop  would  fall  very 
short — a  conviction,  subsequently,  fully  verified.  Upon  the  i-suance  of  that 
Proclamation,  most  of  the  parties  having  distilleries,  desisted  from  their  use  ; 
although  some,  I  am  informed,  persisted  in  distilling.  I  directed  the  Briga- 
dier Generals  of  the  Militia  to  enforce  the  Proclamation.  In  one  instance, 
the  Brigadier,  and  all  others,  including  the  Executive,  were  enjoined  from  in- 
terfering with  the  Distillery  of  the  party  who  sued  out  the  injunction  :  and, 
inasmuch  as  I  had  concluded,  at  the  time  service  of  the  writ  was  made  upon 
me,  to  convene  your  Honorable  Body,  and  as  there  appeared  to  be  some 
doubt  as  to  my  authority  to  suppress  them,  I  determined  to  submit  this 
matter  for  your  consideration. 

It  is  well  known,  that  these  establishments  daily  come  into  competition  with 
the  County  Courts,  and  with  individuals  charged  with  the  duty  of  providing 
for  our  poor,  and  the  families  of  our  soldiers  ;  and  that,  i«  some  sections  of 
the  State,  they  have  been  the  cause  why  the  price  of  corn  has  risen  to  double 
its  value. 

The  demoralizing  effects  of  these  Distilleries,  both  upon  our  troops  and 
people,  are  terrible;  and  I  entreat  you,  in  the  name  of  the  mothers,  wives  and 


14 

children,  of  those  brave  and  noble  spirits,  now  far  from  their  homes  in  the 
armies,  and  who  look  to  you  to  guard  and  protect  them,  to  suppress  this 
outrageous  consumption  of  grain,  and  iniquitous  traffic,  uutil  peace  is  con- 
cluded. 

My  conviction  is,  there  is  but  one  way  to  effect  it.  The  Executive  must  be 
invested  with  authority  to  close  them  by  Proclamation,  and,  if  disregarded, 
he  must  be  empowered  to  do  so  by  means  of  a  military  force.  The  party 
who  violates  the  Proclamation,  should  also  be  liable  to  prosecution,  and  sub- 
jected to  a  heavy  fine  and  imprisonment — a  fine,  alone,  would  *be  insufficient— 
the  enormous  profits  of  the  traffic  would  enable  the  party  easily  to  satisfy  it. 

Heavy  penalties  should  also  be  imposed  upon  persons  introducing  into  the 
State,  during  the  war,  intoxicating  liquors,  unless  by  special  permit,  for  Medi- 
cinal purposes  for  the  use  of  the  Army  Hospitals.  It  may  be  urged,  that  some 
Alcohol  is  necessary  for  Medicinal  purposes:  if  so,  let  proper  restrictions  be 
thrown  around  contracts  made  for  that  purpose. 

I  am  informed  by  intelligent  chemists  that  a  most  excellent  quality  of  Al- 
cohol can  be  distilled  from  the  Sorghum,  or  Chinese  sugar-cane,  and  I  know  it 
can  be  more  easily  grown  in  our  State,  and  with  a  greater  degree  of  certainty, 
than  any  of  the  cereals  used  in  distillation. 

EXTORTIONERS    AND    MONOPOLIZERS. 

That  there  are  persons  in  the  community  who  live  by  extortion  and  mo- 
nopoly, there  can  be  no  doubt.  Is  it  in  our  power  to  reach  them  ?  If  it  be, 
let  us  not  hesitate  a  moment,  but  push  straight  forward  to  the  work.  They 
are  now  the  worst  enemies  we  have,  because  they  croak  and  complain — make 
their  purchases  with  gold — abuse  and  depreciate  the  currency,  so  as  to  obtain 
immense  profits — re-invest,  and  so  continue, — never  satisfied  with  their  in- 
creased gains.  The  monopolizer  has  nought  for  sale,  until  he  sees  a  favorable 
opportunity  to  dispose  of  what  he  has,  at  most  enhanced  prices,  ruinous  to 
the  purchaser. 

I  regret  to  siy,  that  I  have  been  informed,  on  man}?-  occasions,  that  the 
trader  and  speculator  is  not  the  only  extortioner  and  monopolizer  in  our 
midst  \  but  that  many  of  our  planters  and  farmers  are  to  be  included  in  the 
same  category. 

In  the  language  of  President  Davis,  "they  are  men  who  can  be  reached  by 
"  no  moral  influence,  and  are  worse  enemies  of  the  Confederacy  than  if  found 
"among  the  invading  forces.  The  armies  in  the  field,  as  well  as  the  families 
"of  the  soldiers,  and  others  of  the  people  at  home,  are  the  prey  of  these 
"mercenaries,  and  it  is  only  through  State  action  that  their  traffic  can  be 
"suppressed.  Their  condign  punishment  is  ardently  desiied  by  every  pa- 
"  triot." 

SLAVES    FOR    LABOR    ON    FORTIFICATIONS,    &C. 

It  may  become  necessary,  from  time  to  time,  for  the  Confederate,  as,  also, 
the  State  authorities,  to  require  the  labor  of  adult  male  slaves  on  public  woi  ks 
of  defence.  I  would,  therefore,  most  respectfully  suggest,  that  a  law  be 
passed  to  enable  the  Government  to  command  this  species  of  labor,  when 
necessary  ;  and  that  a  sj^stera  be  inaugurated  which,  in  its  operation,  will 
bear  equally,  and  as  lightly  as  possible,  under  the  circumstances,  upon  the 
people.     A  small  per  centage  of  the  slave  population  would  suffice. 

CITIZENS     VOLUNTARILY    ABSENTING    THEMSELVES    FROM    THE    STATE   DURING 

THE    WAR,    &C 

It  has  been  truly  said,  that  "every  citizen  is  bound  to  seive  and  defend  the 
State  as  far  as  he  is  capable."  None  are  naturally  exempt  from  the  per- 
formance of  this  duty  by  reason  of  age  or  infirmity  ;  all  are  capable,  in  some 
wa)',  of  being  useful ;  the  healthy  and  strong  of  bearing  arms,  and  the  in- 
firm of  doing  hospital  duty,  and  of  aiding  the  families  of  those  who  are  in  the 


15 

army,  and  of  sympathizing  with,  and  giving  aid  and  comfort  to,  the  cause  in 
which  we  are  engaged.  There  arc  higher  and  nobler  duties  to  perform  than 
simply  to  live  up  to  the  law,  to  pay  taxes,  and  hire  a  substitute  when  called 
on  to  serve  in  the  army — the  duty  of  giving  the  whole  heart  and  means  to 
sustain  the  country  in  its  heroic  struggle  ! 

"What,  then,  must  be  thought  of  those  persons  who,  without  sufficient 
nerve  to  take  an  active  part  against  us.  either  remain  here,  su'lenly  discon- 
tented, or  secretly  doubting  tbe  success  of  our  arms,  and  sowing  the  seeds 
of  discontent  ih  the  minds  of  the  weak  and  irresolute  ? 

What  must  be  thought  of  those  u  ho  have  left  the  country  to  avoid  a  par- 
ticipation in  the  struggle,  expecting  to  return  and  join  the  successful  party  ? 
Is  there  no  way  by  which  the  latter  class  can  be  reached?  I  respectfully 
suggest  to  the  Legislature  the  passage  of  a  law,  notifying  such  persons  to 
return  to  the  State  in  a  given  time,  and  that  their  failure  to  comply,  shall 
subject  them  to  forfeiture  of  lands  and  of  citizenship,  and  of  the  right  to 
become  citizens. 

Another  class  of  persons  who  are  derelict  in  duty,  it  is  incumbent  on  me 
to  bring  to  your  notice.  The  State  has  not  only  been  the  Asylum  for  the 
oppressed  of  every  country,  but  foreigners  have  been  kindly  invited  to  be- 
come citizens  of  the  State  ;  and,  so  far  has  the  encouragement  been  extended, 
that  upon  simply  making  the  declaration,  upon  oath,  of  the  intention  to  be- 
come citizens,  they  arc  entitled  to  take  and  hold  real  estate.  It  is  my  stern 
duty  to  state,  that  I  believe  many  of  the  persons  vho  have  accepted!  the 
privileges  thus  offered,  have  refused,  when  called  upon,  to  render  military 
service,  and  have  sought  and  obtained  the  aid  of  their  native  Governments  to 
exempt  them  from  it. 

The  right  to  hold  and  enjo3r  real  estate  should  be  denied  to  all  such  per- 
sons, and  they  should  forever  be  rendered  incapable  of  becoming  citizens. 

THE  CONSCRIPT   LAWS. 

In  April  last,  the  Confederate  Congress,  after  much  investigation,  discus* 
sion  and  deliberation,  passed  with  the  utmost  unanimity,  the  Act  known  as 
the  Conscript  Law.  Ver}r  soon  after  its  passage,  I  was  called  upon  by  the 
General  Commanding  the  District  of  Texas,  to  aid  in  carrying  into  effect  its  I 
provisions  within  the  State  of  Texas,  in  accordance  with  its  terms.  Viewing  \ 
the  Law  as  constitutional,  and  convinced  that  the  necessities  of  the  country 
imperiously  demanded  its  prompt  execution,  I  stopped  not  to  discuss  the  good 
or  bad  policy  of  its  enactment,  but  at  once  accorded  permission  to  the  Con- 
federate Commander  of  Texas,  for  his  employment  of  State  officers,  to  aid  in 
canning  out  its  p.  ovisions.  Under  this  Law,  requiring  the  enrollment  of 
persons  between  18  and  35  years  of  age,  very  few  were  taken:  those  subject 
immediately  volunteered,  thereby  swelling  the  ranks  of  our  armies  with  great 
rapidity.  Regretting  that  even  one  citizen  of  Texas  should  have  placed  him- 
self before  the  courts  in  opposition  to  the  law,  I  am  yet  happy  to  say,  that 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Texas,  and  of  other  States,  have  fully  sustained  my 
views  of  the  law,  in  deciding  it  to  be  constitutional.  Whilst  acknowledging 
the  right  and  admiring  the  zeal  of  every  citizen,  in  adhering  to,  and  guard- 
ing the  rights  of  the  States ;  and  whilst  fully  appreciating  the  necessity  of 
preserving  unimpaired  the  rights  and  dignity  attached  to  a  sovereign  State; 
ant.  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  people  of  the  States  to  see  that  the  Agent  ap- 
pointed by  them  does  not  abuse,  or  attempt  to  abuse,  the  powers  and  rights 
inherent  in  the  States  (for  this  is  the  doctrine  of  the  political  school  of  which 
I  am  a  disciple)  yet  I  recognize  the  fact,  that  we  are  engaged  in  a  most  des- 
perate and  critical  struggle ;  a  struggle,  upon  the  result  of  which,  must  de- 
pend our  existence  as  a  people,  and  which  is  fraught  with  all  we  hold  dear  of 
life,  liberty  and  honor.    To  insure  success,  unity  of  purpose  and  action  is  abso- 


16 

lately  neccessary  between  the  Confederate  and  State  Governments  :  hence  it 
follows,  that  every  act  of  any  citizen  or  citizens,  calculated  to  weaken  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Government  or  its  officers  with  the  people,  is,  in  my  judgment, 
giving  (although  it  may  be  unwittingly)  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemy. 
Therefore,  since  my  elevation  to  the  Executive  Chair,  my  great  aim  has  been 
to  aid  and  co-operate  with  the  Confederate  authorities,  in  all  things  tending 
to  a  proper  and  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war. 

I  have  had  no  desire  to  rendei  myself  conspicuous  by  disputing  with  the 
civil  or  military  authorities  of  the  Confederate  Government  on  immaterial 
points  ;  but,  in  every  instance  where  there  has  been  an  apparent  interference 
with  the  rights  of  the  State,  or  an  encroachment  upon  the  functions  of  the 
Executive,  and  the  attention  of  the  proper  officer  has  been  drawn  to  it,  the 
cause  of  complaint  has  been  promptly  removed.  In  military  matters  there 
should  be  one  sole  head.  Under  the  Constitution  and  laws,  I  recognize 
President  Davis  as  that  head :  aud  while  he  conducts  his  administration  in 
conformity  to  the  Constitution  and  laws,  he  should  be  sustained  and  support- 
ed by  the  officers,  both  State  and  Confederate,  aud  by  the  people.  Acting 
upon  these  views,  I  have  thus  far  been  enabled  to  work  in  harmony  with  the 
Confederate  authorities.  I  have  succeeded  in  inducing  the  Government  to 
keep  in  the  field  within  our  State,  troops  adequate  to  its  defense.  In  filling 
the  various  and  large  requisitions  for  men  made  upon  me,  I  have  so  managed 
as  to  furnish  the  requisite  number  with  but  a  very  trifling  outlay  on  the  part 
of  the  State,  thereby  preserving  our  credit,  which  may  be  yet  needed  for  a 
more  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war.  In  this  connection  I  will  remark,  that 
from  within  two  months  after  my  inauguration  to  the  present  time,  I  could, 
in  the  opinion  of  a  vast  number  of  our  citizens,  have,  with  propriety,  thrown 
into  the  field  a  force  of  from  five  to  twenty  thousand  men.  I  had  no  such 
ambition,  unless  in  connection  with  imperious  duty,  and  the  danger  were 
imminent  and  pressing.  The  adoption  of  such  a  course  would  have  incurred 
a  debt  of  millions,  exhausted  the  resources  and  credit  of  the  State,  and  up 
to  this  time,  have  effected  nothing  but  heavy  expense  and  increased  distress 
among  the  people.  Had  I  placed  such  a  force  in  the  field,  the  Confederate 
Government  would  have  been  justified  in  withdrawing  its  troops  from  our 
borders,  leaving  us  dependent  upon  the  State  troops  for  our  defense  and  pro- 
tection. I  am  firmly  convinced  that,  to  be  successful,  unity  and  harmony  is 
essential.  God,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  forbid  that  we  shall  ever  witness  a 
time,  in  this  struggle  for  existence  as  a  Confederacy,  when  the  Legislatures 
or  Governors  of  the  several  States  shall  attempt  to  determine  the  number  of 
troops  they  will  furnish,  or  to  decide  when  and  where  they  are  most  needed, 
the  manner  in  which  the  campaigns  are  to  be  conducted,  and  battles  fought  I 
Whenever  such  a  course  is  decided  upon,  and  that  policy  inaugurated,  then, 
indeed,  may  we  tremble  for  the  result.  No !  each  and  every  State  must  give 
a  cordial  and  determined  support  to  the  Government.  The  war  is  waged  for 
the  interests  of  all.  Every  battle  that  is  fought  is  a  battle  for  the  freedom 
ot  every  State  ;  and  if  by  massing  large  bodies  of  troops,  we  can  avert  inva- 
sion from  any  one  State,  or  portions  of  a  State,  we  shall  have  done  well. 

I  well  recollect  that  many  persons  questioned  the  policy  of  a  man  leaving 
Texas  to  engage  in  this  war  and  many  believed  it  could  be  brought  to  a  success- 
ful termination  without  doing  so.  Efforts  were  made  to  retain  within  the 
State  those  loved,  departed  and  surviving  heroes  of  the  1st,  4th  and  5th 
Texas  Regiments,  known  as  Hood's  Brigade ;  a  corps  whose  gallant  conduct  on 
every  battle  field  has  done  so  much  to  crown  our  arms  with  victory,  and  con- 
fer luster  upon  the  Texas  name.  Since  that  time,  Texas  has  placed  in  the 
field  near  seventy  Regiments  of  as  good  and  true  men  as  ever  drew  sword  or 
shouldered  rifle  in  defense  of  liberty  against  tyranny. 


17 

"From  accurate  data,  Texas  has  furnished  to  the  Confederate  States' 
Military  service :  thirty-three  Cavalry  and  ninteen  Infantry  Regiments  ;  thirty 
of  which  (21  Cavalry  and  9  In  far  try)  have  been  organized  since  the  requisi- 
tion of  February  3,  i862,  for  fifteen  Regiment*,  this  being  the  quota  required 
from  Texas  to  make  her  quota  equal  to  the  quotas  from  other  States ;  besides 
of  Cavalry:  13  Battalions;  2  Squadrons;  6  Detached  Companies ;  1  Legion 
of  12  Companies;  Infantry:  2  Battalions;  1  Company  Unattached;  1  Legion 
of  two  Battalions,  and  1  Light  Battery,  and  of  Artillery:  1  Regiment;  11  Ligtt 
Batteries,  making  sixtj^-two  thousand  men;  which,  with  the  State  troops  in 
actual  service,  viz:  six  thousand  five  hundred  men,  form  an  aggregate  of 
sixty-eight  thousand  five  hundred  Texans  in  Military  service ;  constituting 
an  excess  of  four  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-three  more  than  her 
highest  popular  vote,  which  was  sixty-three  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
twenty-seven.  From  the  best  information  within  reach  of  this  Department, 
upon  which  to  base  an  estimate  of  the  men  now  remaining  in  the  State  be- 
tween the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty  years,  it  is  thought  that  the  number  will 
not  exceed  twent}r-seven  thousand." 

When  the  history  of  this  war  shall  be  written,  the  name  of  Texas  and  her 
sons  will  stand  forth  conspicuous  as  among  the  most  brave,  generous  and 
chivalrous  of  any  people  in  ancient  or  modern  times.  In  sending  her  sons 
beyond  her  own  borders,  our  State  did  well,  and  I  believe  our  immediate 
good  has  resulted  therefrom;  for.  had  they  been  held  back  for  the  protection 
of  their  own  State,  the  enemy  could  have  spared  troops  from  other  points 
and  thrown  them  upon  our  soil.  To  me  it  is  plain,  that  if  by  sending  our 
men  to  Virginia,  Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Arkansas,  or  any  other  distant  point, 
we  keep  the  enemy  from  our  own  doors,  we  are  greatly  tbe  gainers. 

I  am  far  from  counselling  the  leaving  of  any  State,  more  particularly  our 
own,  in  a  defenseless  condition;  nevertheless,  I  believe  it  to  he  the  part  of 
wisdom  to  meet  the  enemy  wherever  he  masses  his  men;  and  should  any 
State,  for  a  time,  be  occupied  by  the  enemy,  it  is  preferable  to  dividing  and 
scattering  our  grand  and  efficient  armies.  "Scatter  that  veteran  and  glorious 
army,  that  has  eg  long  and  nobly  fought  the  battles  of  the  Confederacy  on 
Virginia's  sacred,  biood-stained  Foil,  for  the  protection  of  every  point  threat- 
ened ;  and  bow  long,  think  you,  it  would  be  before  the  hirelings  aud  myrmi- 
dons of  Lincoln  would  press  on,  in  irresistible  strength,  into  Noith  and 
South  Carolina,  transferring  the  bloody  ground  to  those  States?  Each  bat- 
tle fought  in  Virginia,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  or  Arkansas,  is  a  battle  for  the 
freedom  of  Texas ;  consequently,  when  called  upon  by  our  President,  and 
those  great  Generals  who  have  thus  far  conducted  us  victoriously,  for 
additional  assistance,  let  us  do  all  that  in  us  lies  to  respond  to  the  appeal,  and 
thereby  hurl  destruction  upon  our  merciless  and  hated  foe. 

COAST    GUARDS. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1862,  anticipating  an  inravion  of  the  State,  and 
the  Confederate  Government  having  ordered  all  of  the  available  troops  to 
leave  the  coast,  I  deeinad  it  advisable  to  organize  a  small  force  to  act  as 
scouts  and  spies  in  the  counties  bordering  on  the  Gulf  and  acc< 
streams.  I  authorized  the  Brigadier  Generals  of  certain  Brigades,  to  organ- 
ize in  each  of  such  counties,  a  Company  of  25  men,  to  be  sworu  in  for  the 
war,  to  furnish  their  own  horses,  arms  and  subsistence ;  they  were  to  be  at 
all  times  subject  to  the  control  of  the  Brigadier  Generals:  thej  wer< 
necessary,  to  aid  in  driving  the  stock  of  the  citizens  beyond  the  ]  of  the 

enemy — to  see  that  negroes  and  other  property  of  the  people,  did  not  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  blockaders — and,  generally,  to  perform  such  duty  as 
the  Brigadier  Generals  might  require  of  them  They  were  to  receive  no  pay 
from  the  State ;  the  only  immunity  awarded  them  was  relief  from  all  other 
B 


18 

Military    duty.      I  considered  it  a  good  and  necessary  arrangement  for  the 
State. 

Some  complaints  have  been  made  that  these  Companies  were  useless,  and 
should  be  forced  into  the  army.  I  know  that  several  of  them  have  rendered 
valuable  service.  The  Confederate  officers,  with  my  consent,  have  employed 
some  of  these  Companies,  as  they  inform  me,  to  great  advantage.  They  have 
at  all  times  been  ready  to  perform  any  service,  when  called  upon  by  Confed- 
erate officers.  In  justice  to  the  men  composing  this  organization,  I  will 
state  that  they  were  sworn  into  service  long  before  the  passage  of  the  Con- 
script laws.  It  cannot,  therefore,  be  charged  that  they  sought  this  service 
to  9  void  Conscription. 

MEETING    OF    THE    GOVERNORS    OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    STATES,    WEST    OF    THE 
MISSISSIPPI    RIVER,    AT    MARSHALL,    TEXAS. 

In  July  last,  the  Mississippi  River  being  virtually  in  possession  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  impression  being  entertained,  in  some  quarters,  outside  of 
Texas,  that  the  Confederate  Authorities  were  neglecting  and  abandoning  the 
portion  of  the  Confederacy  West  of  that  river;  believing  such  impression  to 
be  unjust,  and  that  the  Confederate  Government  neither  intended  or  desired 
to  neglect  the  Trans-Mississippi  States;  and  that  any  apparent  want  of  at- 
tention to  our  necessities  had  arisen  from  its  inability,  at  the  time,  to  guard 
against  it;  I  invited  the  Governors  of  the  States  of  Louisiana,  Arkansas,  and 
Missouri,  (representing  the  States  West  of  the  Mississippi)  to  meet  me  at 
Marshall.  Texas;  and,  after  consultation,  from  that  place  make  known  to  the 
President  the  true  condition  of  the  country,  and  submit,  for  his  consideration, 
such  plan  as  we  should  deem  most  efficacious  in  securing  the  interests  of  those 
States.  The  Executive  of  Arkansas  was  prevented  from  attending  by  illness 
in  his  family,  and  Gov.  Moore,  of  Louisiana,  by  reason  of  the  invasion  of  that 
State.  I,  however,  had  the  honor  and  gratification  of  meeting  Gov.  Claibourne 
F.  Jackson,  of  Missouri,  than  whom  no  more  zealous,  indefatigable,  and  true- 
hearted  patriot  existed.  God,  in  his  inscrutible  Providence  has  since  called 
him  from  his  sphere  of  usefulness, — and  while  we  bow  with  submission  to  the 
Divine  decree,  we  cannot  but  mourn  his  loss. 

Governor  Jackson  and  myself  prepared  the  necessary  papers — forwarded 

*  them  to  Governors  Moore  and  Rector,  who  most  fully  endorsed  all  we  had 
done,  and  affixed  their  signatures  to  the  papers,  which,  in  due  time,  were  de- 

.     livered  to  President  Davis  by  our  esteemed  fellow-citizen  Maj.  Guy  M.  Bryan, 
then  an  Aid-de-Camp  to  Gen.  P.  0.  Hebert,  and  to  whom,  in  all  this  business, 

*  much  is  due  for  any  good  that  may  have  resulted  from  our  consultation. 

I  believe  that  the  objects  sought  to  be  attained  by  us  were  accomplished. 

*  That  it  was  satisfactory  in  its  results  to  the  President,  and  our  Members  of 
Congress,  I  have  the  evidence  in  the  Executive  Office. 

I  have  the  honor  to  lay  before  you  the  papers  connected  with  this  meeting. 

THE    SURRENDER    OF    GALVESTON. 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  in  regard  to  the  surrender  of  Galveston ; 
censure  har>,  in  some  instances,  been  liberally  bestowed  upon  the  Executive 
in  connection  therewith.  I  can  only  say,  that  when  the  first  threat  was 
made  by  the  enemy  against  the  city,  I  advised  and  urged  determined  resist- 
ance. On  the  7th  day  of  March  last,  when  I  heard  the  order  had  been  re- 
ceived by  the  Commanding  General  from  the  War  Department  to  send  our 
disciplined  troops  out  of  the  State;  abandon  the  coast,  and  discharge  the 
twelve  months'  men;  I  remonstrated,  and  the  Commanding  General  most 
willingly  suspended  the  execution  of  the  order,  until  I  could  forward  a  protest 
to  the  War  Department,  which  I  did  by  Special  Messenger.  In  that  protest 
I  declared  that  "Laving  been  informed  that  it  may  be  your  purpose  to  dis- 
"  band  all  of  the  troops  now  in  the  field  for  a  less  time  than  the  war ;  and 


19 

"being  well  aware  that,  if  they  bo  so  disbanded,  our  State  would  be  in  a  most 
"helpless  condition.  I  most  solemnly  protest  against  such  action  until  I  can 
"communicate  with  the  War  Department  at  Richmond  on  the  subject,  or 
"  raise  a  competent  and  adequate  force  to  protect  the  State  against  invasion 
"or  marauding  parties  of  the  enemy. 

"  I  shall  send  a  messenger  immediately  to  Richmond,  as  I  cannot  believe  it 
"to  be  the  intention  of  the  War  Department  to  leave  Texas  entirely  to  her 
"own  resources  of  defense,  when  she  has  faithfully  endeavored  to  carry  out 
"  he/  obligations  to  the  Confederacy,  both  in  furnishing  men  and  money  to 
"carry  on  the  war." 

The  War  Department  yielded  the  point  so  far  as  the  disbanding  of  the 
twelve  months'  men  was  concerned  ;  but,  in  a  short  time  thereafter,  moved 
many  of  the  troops  to  the  Mississippi.  On  the  7th  Dec,  1861,  I  used  the 
following  language  relative  to  the  defense  of  Galveston: 

"I  am  very  clearly  of  the  opinion,  that  ever}"  effort  should  be  made  to  pre- 
"  vent  the  enemy  from  effecting  a  landing;  and  lean  imagine  that,  with  a 
"strong  and  well-directed  effort,  they  may  be  driven  off  entirely,  or  much 
"crippled  in  their  attempt  to  make  the  land." 

"  Another  important  fact  is,  that  if  the  enemy  is  permitted  to  capture  the 
"City  of  Galveston  without  a  fight,  and  a  severe  one  at  that,  the  consequence 
"would  be  the  most,  gloomy  :  it  would  dispirit  the  people  from  one  end  of  the 
"  State  to  the  other." 

It  was  my  conviction,  until  a  very  short  time  before  its  surrender,  that 
Galveston  would  be  vigorously  and  obstinately  defended  by  the  Confederate 
General. 

The  State  had  not  a  soldier  in  the  field,  and  did  not  control  a  single  piece 
of  ordnance  suitable  to  its  defense.  I  desire  to  cast  blame  upon  no  one.  I 
will,  however,  say,  that  with  my  consent,  it  would  never  have  been  surren- 
dered to  a  naval  force  destitute  of  the  means  of  occupying  it.  I  am  opposed 
to  the  surrender  of  any  place  to  a  fleet,  even  of  iron-clads,  unless  operating 
in  conjunction  with  an  adequate  land  force :  it  would  be  fighting  the  enemy 
with  too  great  odds  in  his  favor.  With  his  powerful  navy  and  immense  mer- 
cantile marine, — were  sea-port  towns  yielded  to  a  fleet  alone  ;  he  could  hold 
in  subjection  all  of  our  coast  and  river  towns  with  a  handful  of  men ;  and, 
with  a  single  gun-boat,  occupy  the  attention  of  thousands  of  our  troops. 
Such  being  my  views,  you  can  sympathize  with  the  mortification  with  which 
I  was  overwhelmed  on  learning  that  our  Island  City  was  yielded  to  a  squad- 
ron destitute  of  the  means  of  occupying  its  conquest.  Proportionate  was  the 
joy  and  exultation  felt  by  me  on  learning  that  our  gallant  men  at  Corpus 
Christi  and  La  Vaca  had  refused  to  surrender  to  the  insolent  summons  of  an 
insufficient  force,  and  by  their  firm  attitude  had  repelled  him  with  disgrace. 
I  was  for  resistance  at  Galveston,  as  I  am  in  favor  of  contesting  every  inch  of 
Southern  soil,  and  defending  every  place  in  the  Confederacy. 

From  the  moment  of  the  surrender  of  the  City,  I  have  urged  its  re-capture 
continuously  ;  of  which  many  officers  and  citizens  are  well  aware. 

I  claim  no  credit  for  the  great  and  chivalrous  deeds  of  our  brave  and  noble 
troops,  so  conspicuously  displayed  in  the  re-capture  of  the  City.  I  can,  how- 
ever, claim  that  the  distinguished  General  now  in  command  of  this  military 
District,  disclosed  to  me  his  plans  as  the  Executive  of  1he  State;  and  that  I 
encouraged  and  promoted  the  enterprise  in  every  way  in  my  power  ;  and  no 
heart,  within  the  broad  limits  of  the  Confederacy,  beats  with  m>re  pleasure, 
and  glows  with  more  pride,  at  the  halo  of  glory  that  will  ever  encircle  the 
b/ows  of  those  heroes,  whose  matchless  intrepidity  on  that  occasion,  on  sea 
as  on  land,  has  secured  them  imperishable  renown. 

On  the  29th  November  last,  so  soon  as  the  arrival  of  General   Magruder 


20 

was  known  to  me,  I  addressed  my  friend,  Col.  X.  B.  De  Bray,  commanding- 
Sub.  Mil.  Dist.  of  Houston,  from  which  I  take  the  following  extract : 

"  Colonel  : — Can  we  not  do  something  at  G.ilveston  ?  If  you  could  de- 
"  vise  a  plan  whereby  we  could  drive  these  fellows  from  the  wharves  of  Gal- 
"  vesto",  and  re-occupy  the  place  with  the  sanction  of  General  Magruder,  it 
"  would  make  you  both  a  name,  and  do  much  to  raise  the  spirits  of  our  people. 

"  I  will  most  cheerfully  co-operate  with  you  in  such  an  undertaking,  and 
"  will  accompany  you  in  any  expedition  you  may  get  up  for  such  a  purpose. 

"  I  think,  if  it  is  possible,  we  should  re-possess  ourselves  of  the  place ;  and, 
"  in  the  language  of  the  Georgia  Legislature  as  to  Savannah,  defend  it  street 
"  by  street,  and  house  by  house." 

OUR    SOLDIERS  IN  THE  C  S.  PROVISIONAL    ARMY,    BEYOND    THE    LIMITS    OF  THE 

STATE. 

I  have  shown  your  Honorable  Body,  in  a  previous  part  of  the  Message,  the 
very  large  number  of  men  we  have  in  the  service. 

A  majority  of  our  best,  most  patriotic,  and  substantial  citizens  are  in  the 
Provisional  Army  of  the  Confederate  States.  These  citizens  are  all  absent 
in  obedience  to  the  call  of  patriotism,  and  the  mandate  of  the  Supreme  Law 
of  the  land  :  in  obedience  to  that  same  law,  they  cannot  return  at  their  own 
volition.  Most  certainly,  leaving,  as  they  do,  behind  them,  their  families  and 
property,  they  are  equally,  if  not  more  interested,  than  those  remaining  at 
home,  in  the  proper  and  patriotic  administration  of  the  Government. 

Our  Government,  recognizing  the  right  of  the  majority  to  govern,  the  fact 
is  exhibited,  for  the  first  time  in  our  history,  of  a  majority  of  our  qualified 
electors  being  beyond  the  limits  of  the  State.  The  question  arises,  should 
they,  absent  as  t'aej  are  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  unable 
to  return  be  deprived  of  the  rights  ol  suffrage  ?  Do  they  forfeit  the  rights 
of  citizenship,  because  they  are  absent  battling  for  the  common  good  ?  Can 
they  be  disfranchised,  and  the  Government  given  up  to  the  minority  ?  My 
opinion  is,  they  should  be  protected  in  all  their  rights  of  citizenship  by  the 
Legislature  of  the  State. 

I  therefore  recommend  that  a  law  be  passed,  with  proper  restrictions,  giv- 
ing to  the  soldiers  of  the  State  in  the  Provisional  Army  of  the  Confederacy, 
beyond  its  limits,  but  being  otherwise  qualified  electors,  the  right  to  vote  in 
all  general  elections  during  the  war. 

lunatic  asylum. 

In  consequence  of  the  immense  advance  in  the  prices  of  every  article  of 
consumption,  and  the  very  low  price  paid  for  patients  by  the  Counties,  an 
additional  appropriation  will  become  necessary  to  sustain  this  Institution. 

The  Institution  is  only  authorized  under  the  law  to  charge  the  County  pa- 
tients two  dollars  per  week.  This  would  not,  in  times  of  peace  and  plenty, 
support  a  patient,  and  at  present  pays  but  a  small  portion  of  the  expense. 
The  rate  of  board  should  be  increased. 

reports  of  the  secretary  of  state. 

Permit  me  to  call  your  attention  to  the  Reports  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Many  valuable  suggestions  are  made  by  that  officer,  which  I  trust  will 
meet  with  your  approbation. 

STATE  FINANCES. 

There  was  received  into  the  Treasury,  on  account  of  State  Revenue,  from 
the  1st  day  of  July,  1862,  to  Dec.  3 1st,  1862, 
To  amount  on  hand  January  1st,  1862,  $  13,366,67 

From  9-10  Sate  Taxes,  Licenses,  &c., 346,305,39 

"     Sale  of  Land  Scrip, 28,138,29 

«    Sale  of  State  Bonds,  -    ' -  183,995,07 


21 

From  Financial  Agent  of  Penitentiary, $  148.278,88 

"     Other  Sources,     ---------      28,495,78 


749,080,08 
Amount  disbursed  during  same  time,      -----        746,597,80 


Leaving  balance  on  hand,  Jan.  1,  1863,         -----    $2,482,28 

The  Military  Board  have  sold  460  State  Bonds,  of  $1000  each,  from  which 
they  realized  $476,422-60-100,  of  which  amount,  as    above  stated,  they  paid 
to  account  of  State  revenue,  $1S3,995,07,   leaving  them  properly  chargeable 
with  $292,427,53. 

Under  the  law  to  regulate  and   authorize  funding  in   State  Bonds,  approv- 
ed 13th  Jan.,  1862,  amount  funded,   ft  196,000,  making  in  all   if  loan-bonds 
disposed  of  656 ;  210  bonds  remain  to  the  credit  of  the   Military  Board  to 
meet  contracts  made,  and  future  liabilities  growing  out  of  contracts. 

There  has  been  disbursed  from  the  Treasury  in  payment  of  liabilities  on  Mil- 
itary account   incurred  prior  to  Jan.  1,    1862.  $837,452,52.     Upon   liabilities 
since  1st  Jan.,  1862,  to  Dec.  31st,  1862,  $509,535.46. 
There   has  been   expended   on   Civil  account  during  the  same 
period,  including  $55,026,84,  on  account  of  the  Ninth  Leg- 
islature,        _-.------$    267,911,25 

The  outstanding   liabilities  of  the  Slate,  1st  Jan.    1863,  are  in 

8  per  cent.  Bonds, 656,000,00 

In  10  per  cent.  int.  Warrants,        ------  135,000,00 

In  Treasury  Warrants  without  interest,        -  888,875,72 


$1,679,875,92 
Estimated   amount  of  unaudited  claims   for   Military   services 

prior  to  Jan.  1st,  1862, $    150,000,00 

For  Frontier  Regiment,         - 350,000,00 


$2,179,875,72 

Of  this  amount,  about  $1,000,000  is  in  pa)  ment  of  debts  and  Military  ser- 
vices incurred  prior  to  1st  J^n.  1862. 

It  will  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  claims  of  the  State  against  the  Con- 
federate Government,  will  not  vary  far  from  the  entire  indebtedness  of  the 
State. 

From  the  increased  demands  likely  to  be  made  upon  the  Treasury,  the 
facility  with  which  our  citizens  can  procure  the  means  to  pay  their  taxes,  and 
the  importance  of  reducing  State  liabilities  as  rapidly  as  possible,  thereby 
appreciating  the  balance,  I  feel  no  hesitation  in  recommending  an  immediate 
increase  of  the  t&x  to  one-half  of  one  per  cent.,  exclusive  of  the  loan  tax. 

The  receipts  likely  to  come  into  the  Treasury  during  the  year,  arising  from 
the  present  rate  of  taxation,  and  other  ordinary  sources,  will  amount  to  about 
$500,000,  $300,000  of  which  will  be  required  for  the  support  of  the  civil 
Government,  leaving  only  $200,000  for  the  redemption  of  unpaid  Treasury 
Warrants,  the  protection  of  the  Frontier,  and  the  general  defense  of  the 
State.  A  tax  of  one-half  of  one  per  cent,  would  yield  $1,000,000  revenue, 
which  would  soon  relieve  the  State  from  financial  embarrassment. 

The  amount  of  the  special  specie  tax  assessed  for  1861  amounted  to  $112,- 
302,30,  of  which  sum  there  has  been  paid  into  the  Treasury  $90,491,65,  being 
almost  as  large  a  per  centage  as  the  amount  collected  in  currency. 

The  fact  of  the  State  having  pledged  her  faith  to  pay  the  interest  on  her 
loan-bonds  semi-annually  in  specie,  has  caused  these  bonds  to  be  much  sought 
after,  and  the  Board  appointed   for  that   purpose  could  long  since,  have  dis- 


i 


22 

posed  of  the  entire  amount  authorized  by  law.  The  Board  have,  however, 
preferred  to  use  them  only  as  the  necessities  of  the  Treasury  required  it,  thus 
saving  a  largo  amount  of  interest  to  the  State.  I  trust  the  Legislature  will 
not  disturb  the  position  which  this  loan  occupies  to  our  people  as  our  citizens 
readily  responded  to  our  wants,  and  invested  their  means  when  solicited  in 
these  bonds,  relying  upon  the  punctual  p^ment  of  the  interest  in  specie. 

There  is  now  in  the  Treasury  a  sufficient  sum  to  meet  the  interest  on  the 
entire  million  of  bonds  for  one  year,  and  I  believe  there  will  be  a  sufficient 
amount  collected  to  meet  the  interest  as  it  becomes  due.  But  to  guard  against 
any  contingency,  I  trust  the  Legislature  will  empower  the  Comptroller  and 
Treasurer  to  make  such  arrangements  as  will  secure  a  sufficient  amount  of 
specie  to  place  it  beyond  doubt.  It  can  be  done  very  easily,  and  our  faith 
kept  and  our  credt. sustained. 

We  know  not  what  a  few  months  may  bring  forth.  The  necessities  of  our 
country  may  require  us  to  raise  large  sums  to  defend  the  State.  Let  us  then, 
do  nothing  likely  to  impair  our  credit ;  and,  when  called  upon,  rest  assured 
our  citizens  will  respond  with  their  last  dollar. 

I  most  respectfully  suggest,  that  the  law  authorizing  the  funding  of  State 
"Warrants  in  the  present  loan  bonds  be  immediately  repealed.  The  amount 
of  Warrants  presented  for  funding  is  increasing  daily  and  the  fact  of  our  State 
bonds  bearing  specie  interest,  causes  them  to  be  in  greater  demand  for  fund- 
ing than  the  bonds  of  the  Confederacy.  In  the  present  condition  of  the 
country  and  of  the  currency,  I  think  8  per  cent,  interest  on  a  State  debt  too 
high,  and  should  you  deem  it  best  to  continue  the  funding  of  State  liabilities,  I 
would  recommend  that  bonds  be  issued  expressly  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
they  bear  6  per  cent,  interest. 

By  an  Act  passed  at  the  last  regular  session  of  your  Honorable  Body, 
Confederate  Treasury  Notes  received  into  the  Treasury  can  only  be  paid  out 
for  Military  purposes.  I  presume  the  object  of  the  law  was,  to  secure  the 
most  available  means  for  Military  objects.  The  facts  now  show  that  the  State 
Warrants  are  more  appreciated  than  the  Confederate  Notes :  hence,  I  would 
respectfully  suggest,  that  the  law  be  repealed,  and  that  Coufederate  Notes  be 
paid  out  as  other  funds,  for  all  purposes,  because  the  revenue  is  principally 
collected  in  those  Notes,  and  theie  may  be  times  when  they  are  not  required 
for  Military  purposes,  and  would  save  the  drawing  of  large  amounts  of  War- 
rants, thereby  lessening  the  amount  of  State  liabilities.  There  can  certainly 
result  no  injury  to  the  State  from  this  course. 

I  believe  that,  by  pursuing  the  course  indicated,  there  will  bo  no  necessity 
to  put  in  the  market  before  the  regular  session  of  the  Legislature,  an  addi- 
tional number  of  bonds  over  the  amount  now  authorized  to  be  sold. 

At  the  last  session  of  your  Honorable  Body,  the  lGth  Section  of  the  Tax 
Law  was  amended  so  as  to  postpone  the  forced  collection  of  Taxes  until  the 
1st  day  of  August,  succeeding  the  return  of  Assessment  Rolls,  <fec.  At  that 
time  there  was  great  scarcity  of  money  in  the  country,  and  it  was  done  to 
give  time  to  put  money  in  circulation.  This  delay  postpones  all  settlement 
with  the  Assessors  and  Collectors  until  after  the  fiscal  year,  which  ends 
in  August,  and  causes  much  confusion  in  closing  accounts  in  the  Comptroller's 
office.  As  there  is  no  longer  anjT  necessity  for  such  postponement,  I  respect- 
fully suggest  the  repeal  of  the  amendment. 

It  was  made  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  present  to  the  Confederate  Gov- 
ernment for  settlement  all  claims  of  the  State  against  that  Government.  The 
Comptroller  has  been  adjusting  and  paying  off,  all  claims  properly  chargeable 
to  the  Confederate  Government,  preparing  the  necessary  vouchers  to  sustaiu 
£he  claims,  &c. 

It  is  expected  the  accounts  will  very  soon  be  ready  for  presentation  and 
adjustment. 


23 

I  am  not  advised  that  any  appropriation  has  been  made  to  liquidate  this 
class  of  claims. 

I  respectfully  recommend  that  all  soldiers  from  the  State  in  the  Confede- 
rate service,  whose  property  amounts  to  less  than  $'»,000,  be  relieved  from 
the  payment  of  the  Poll  Tax  during  the  time  they  remain  in  the  army. 

Also,  that  a  reasonable  amount  of  their  property  be  exempted  from  taxa- 
tion, and  that  the  property  of  no  soldier,  while  he  is  in  the  service  of  the  Con- 
federate States,  shall  be  sold  for  taxes. 

PUBLIC    LANDS. 

Let  me  suggest  the  policy  of  withdrawing  from  sale,  except  to  actual  set- 
tlers, all  Public  Lands,  until  peace  is  restored. 

THE    ESTRAY    LAW. 

I  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  the  Law  regulating  Estrays ;  it  should 
either  be  repealed  entirely,  or  amended.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  it  is 
very  much  abused  ;  and  that  the  stock  of  parties  absent  in  the  service  is  be- 
ing preyed  upon  under  its  operation.  I  am  of  opinion  that,  no  stock  should 
be  estrayed  during  the  war,  unless  it  be  established  that  by  its  running  at 
large,  it  works  an  injury  to  the  property  of  the  party  proposing  to  est  ray  "the 
animal  or  animals. 

RECONSTRUCTION. 

The  people  of  the  North  and  some  few  deluded  fanatics  in  our  own  section, 
entertain  the  opinion  that  the  Old  Union  can  be  reconstructed.  To  me,  and  I 
hope  to  every  other  true  Southern  man,  the  idea  must  be  shocking  and  re- 
volting. God  f  >rbid  that  our  noble  land,  purified,  redeemed  from  Northern 
rule  and  corruption  by  the  fire  of  a  hundred  battle-fields  j  re  baptized  in  the 
blood  of  our  noblest  sons,  should  be  doomed  to  suoh  a  fate.  The  safety,  puri- 
ty and  virtue  of  our  political  and  social  system,  are  to  be  maintained  alone  in 
their  integrity  by  a  rigid  exclusion,  now  and  forever,  of  all  abolition  or  Yan- 
kee communities.  Ihe  admission  of  a  single  free  State,  like  the  one  dead  fly 
in  the  precious  cup  of  ointment,  will  corrupt  and  vitiate  the  whole  mass.  I 
am  of  tbe  opinion,  therefore,  that  the  Confederate  Constitution  should  be  so 
amended  as  to  exclude  any  State  from  becoming  a  member  of  the  Confederacy 
that  does  not  allow  and  protect  negro  slavery  among  its  people — and  that  any 
State  belonging  to  the  Confederacy  that  shall  abolish  the  institution  of  negro 
slavery  within  its  borders  shall,  ipso-facto,  cease  to  be  a  member  thereof. 

I  would  recommend  an  expression  of  opinion  from  your  Honorable  Body 
upon  this  vital  question;  for  it  does  not  require  the  eye  of  a  prophet  to  fore- 
see that  some  of  the  Western  States,  baffled  in  their  hellish  attempts  to  sub- 
jugate our  proud  and  noble  people,  and  guided  by  their  lust  of  gain,  will  re- 
volt from  their  Eastern  Masters,  and  beg  to  be  admitted  as  members  of  our 
Confederacy. 

APPROPRIATIONS    FOR    MILITARY    CONTINGENCIES. 

I  would  respectfully  recommend,  that  ample  appropriations  for  all  Military- 
Contingencies  be  made.  They  would,  of  course,  only  be  used  in  case  of  great 
and  pressing  necessity. 

It  is  a  matter  of  great  economy  for  the  Government,  at  all  times,  to  pay 
for  what  is  required  in  cash. 

SPECIAL     TERMS     OF     THE     DISTRICT     COURTS     FOR     THE     TRIAL    OF    CRIMINAL 

CAUSES. 

In  the  present  condition  of  the  country,  there  is  but  little  doing  in  our 
Courts  beyond  the  trial  of  criminals,  which  can  only  be  done  by  our  District 
Courts  every  six  months. 

I  believe  were  the  Legislatures  to  authorize  the  Judges  of  the  District 
Courts  to  hold  special  Terms,  or  Quarterly  Courts  for  the  trial  of  all  Criminal 
Causes  after  Indictment  found,  it  would  have  a  very  beneficial  effect  at  thU 


24 


time.  The  citizens  would  not  be  so  likely  to  take  the  law  into  their  own 
hands,  which,  I  regret  to  say,  has  been  done  on  several  occasions  within  the 
last  few  months. 

cokcLtfsroN. 

I  cannot  but  congratulate  you,  Gentle  nen,  on  the  general  prosperity  and 
health  of  our  State.  I  feel  that  we  ar£  crcatly  indebted  to  Divine  Provi- 
dence for  the  privilege  we  this  day  enjoy,  in  being  permitted  to  assemble  in 
our  own  State,  and  at  our  own  Capitol,  unharmed  and  unmolested,  to  trans- 
act the  public  business  entrusted  to  us  by  a  confiding  Constituency.  Several 
of   our  sister-States,  I  deeply  regret  to  say,  do  not  enjoy  the  same  immunity. 

The  Old  Year  closed  brightly  for  us,  and  the  New  Year  opened  most  propi- 
tiously. Let  us  be  hopeful,  watchful,  prayerful — let  each  and  every  one  of 
us  determine  to  forget  self,  and  by  precept  and  example  encourage  every 
man  in  the  broad  land  to  devote  ulrasalf,  his  means  and  his  abilities,  to  the 
service  of  his  country!  Let  us  give  to  our  Government,  the  Government  of 
our  choice  and  of  our  affection,  an  earnest  support !  Let  us  sustain  and  cher- 
ish that  Patriot. —  Warrior — Statesman — whom  we  unanimously,  and  with  one 
accord  selected  to  preside  over  our  d< vtinies,  and  to  guide  our  Ship  of  State 
through  the  turbulent  Sea  of  Revolution — who,  by  his  ability,  energy,  and 
devoted  assiduity  to  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  interests  of  the  people, 
deserves  a  Nation's  gratitude!  Let  us  with  heart  and  soul  resolve  to  rally 
around  those  brave  and  gallant  Captains  who  daily  lead  our  invincible  and 
unconquerable  armies  to  victory  !  Let  us  continue  to  fill  up  their  ranks  upon 
their  demand,  should  it  take  our  last  man  and  our  last  dollar,  looking  neither 
to  Foreign  Nations  or  the  corrupt,  Deni'  cracy  of  the  North  for  aid!  Depend- 
ing alone  upon  God.  our  strong  arms  and  brave  hearts,  victory  will  soon  perch 
upon  every  banner,  and  an  honorable  peace  be  conquered  ! 

And  now,  gentlemen,  it  may  not  be  unfit  for  me  to  declare,  that  it  is  not 
my  intention  to  seek  a  re-election  to  the  position  I  now  oecupy.  Constantly, 
strenuously  and  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  have  I  attempted  to  perform  the 
duties  growing  out  of  my  position;  with  what  success  my  official  record  must 
determine.  I  must  obey  the  impulses  of  my  own  heart,  and  they  counsel  me 
to  join  the  ranks  of  our  chivalrons  soldiers  now  battling  and  dying  for  our 
independence.  I  feel  that  one  who  has  done  as  much  as  myself  to  inaugurate 
the  present  momentous  and  sanguinary  struggle,  should  t  ike  a  greater  part 
than  has  hitherto  been  allotted  to  my  share,  in  its  dangers,  privations  and 
hardships. 

Permit  me  to  say,  that  I  trust  your  svay  at  the  Capitol  will  be  pleasant — 
that  harmony  may  prevail  in  your  counsels  and  deliberations,  and  great  good 
result  to  the  country  from  your  action. 

Having  performed  your  necessary  labors,  I  trust  you  may  safely  return  to 
your  hoines  and  families,  enjoying  happiness  and  prosperity. 

F.  R.  LUBBOCK. 


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